There was apprehension among security agencies in the restive Niger Delta on Tuesday as new militant camps were said to have been set up in the region.
Our correspondent found that the worst hit by the unease was the Task Force in the Niger Delta, Operation Restore Hope, which oversees the security agencies in Bayelsa and Delta states, where the new violent groups were said to be prevalent.
It was gathered that some militant leaders were erecting new camps in the coastal communities of the region, especially in Bayelsa and Delta states.
The heads of the State Security Service in the two states were also said to be aware of the development.
It was learnt that the new camps, were being erected by militants who escaped the onslaught in River State .
Investigation revealed that some of the militants embarked on the mission to curry the favour of the governors of the region and challenge the hegemony of the reigning warlords in a particular state.
In Delta State, the inauguration of a camp by a warlord, John Togo, was reported to be giving the JTF, Op RH, headed by Brig.-Gen. Wuyep Rimtip, state government and SSS, sleepless nights.
Togo, an Ijaw, was once arrested by JTF, Op RH, for perpetuating crimes along Delta waterways and creeks, before he was released to the police for prosecution.
Togo has reportedly established some militant camps on the waterways of Delta State, ostensibly to confront the state government and challenge a rival in Gbaramatu area of Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta state.
It was gathered that the state government was particularly concerned about the activities of Togo, who was said to be operating with another Ijaw militia, Boyloaf, in the coastal areas of the state.
Reliable sources at JTF told our correspondent that Togo had boasted that he was prepared to make the state ungovernable for the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, unless he enjoyed patronage of the same proportion with his Gbaramatu kinsman, from the governor.