SECURITY situation in the Niger Delta region heightened yesterday as both military and police authorities put their men on red alert, following weekend�s threat by militants to attack military and police in the area.
However, Commander of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF), operating in the Niger Delta, Major General Lawrence Ngubane and Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hezekiah Dimka, who both confirmed actions taken on the security situation said that they are prepared to crush the militants if they dare carry out the threat.
Major General Ngubane, who spoke with Daily Champion in a telephone interview said the JTF is ever prepared to deal with any form of aggression that may arise in any part of the oil-rich region.
Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Daily Champion recalls had Friday, through an e-mail message to some media houses threatened to blow-up checkpoints and roadblocks manned by men of the JTF.
MEND, had also in the message in which it cautioned civilians in the Niger Delta states of Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa Ibom to avoid army checkpoints and armoured personnel carries as they have become targets of attacks, threatened to paralyse the country�s oil export this year.
But the JTF commander, who assured that his men are ready to repel any attack said: “Our troops have been put on red alert to respond to any threat that will arise from any quarters. Those issuing the threat should be ready to face the dire consequences of their planned action. JTF Operation Restore Hope is ready to crush any attack launched against its troops”.
Similarly, JTF in a press released signed by its Public relations Officer, Maj. Omale Ochakwuba, said the task force was deployed to the Niger Delta to restore law and order, protect life and property.
He said the JTF is not new to receiving such threat and even attack on it�s men, assuring that the task force is ever ready to counter any threat in its area of responsibility.
“JTF operation Restore Hope was deployed to Niger Delta primarily to restore law and order, protect life and property. A task the outfit has been carrying out well and will continue to do so. The JTF is ever ready to counter any threat in its area of responsibility and not only when threat are made” the statement stated.
Delta State Commissioner of Police, Dimka, who spoke in the same vein in Asaba, said that men of his command have been put on alert to deal decisively with any one who tries to disturb the prevailing peace in the state.
Dimka, who read the riot through the command�s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Banawi Ishaku, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in a telephone chat with our correspondent said his command would not tolerate any breach of law and order, expressing the determination of men and officers to ensure protection of lives and property.
He however, appealed to residents of the state to remain calm as the command is battled ready to checkmate the militants or any other group out to cause trouble in any part of the state.
According to him “we are on guard for anything that may threaten the peaceful co-existence of Delta state. We will not tolerate any break down of law and order.”
Already security has been beefed up in the capital city to forestall any attack by hoodlums.
Also, security personnel at the Government House Asaba, have begun routine checks on all visitors and motorists entering the state�s seat of power.
The new development has forced police officers at the entrance gate to ensure that all vehicle booths are adequately scrutinized while visitors are subjected to serious questioning, which our correspondent learnt was to ward-off any attack on officials within the government house.
Meanwhile, a chieftain of the Asagba in Council and the Ichiokwa of Asaba ,Obi (Engr.) Godwin Konwea yesterday urged the federal and the state governments to take adequate steps towards addressing the vexed issues in the oil rich region.
Obi Konwea pointed out that Asaba, the Delta State capital had been known for its hospitality and peace and called on President Musa Yar�Adua and state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan to be up and doing at initiating sincere dialogue with the militants as well as ensuring that government looks into the peoples need.
He particularly kicked against any plot by the militants to cause havoc on security officials which he said was contrary to the spirit of a peaceful and united Nigeria.
“Asaba is not traditionally violent. Agreed that it has acquired the state capital status, we are not in support of any terror being unleashed on anybody, Nigeria or Delta state. It is my view that government should look into areas that upset people because a hungry person can find himself doing things he is not expected to do.
“I recommend dialogue as a means for settling issues no matter how bad the situation. I am sure the present federal government, and indeed, our state governor, are listening leaders,” he stated.