TROOPS IN THE DELTA LAUNCH MANHUNT FOR ATEKE TOM, OTHERS

The Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta region code-named “Operation Restore Hope”, on Sunday placed all its troops on an increased state of alert, following reports that warlords in Rivers State are fleeing to Delta and Bayelsa states axis of the region.



Reports of the flight of the militant warlords, including Niger Delta Vigilante leader, Ateke Tom to the states because of military operation in Rivers State , led to panic among dwellers of riverside communities.



But JTF Commander, Brig. General Wuyep Rimtip told our correspondent in a telephone interview that law-abiding citizens of the areas have no cause to fear.



The artillery-trained soldier told our correspondent that the JTF was on top of security situation in its AOR (Area of Responsibility), which covered the two states, promising that all legal activities would go on unhindered.



Rimtip revealed to our correspondent that all troops in the region have been asked to watch out for the fleeing militants, adding that there would be no safe havens for them in his area of operation.



“We have placed our troops on alert and they are looking out for these militants that are fleeing Rivers State . We are determined that they do not enter into these parts and start making trouble here. We will not tolerate that.



“My advice to them (militants) is that they should change their ways immediately because they cannot have peace in these two states. They should renounced violence and join in efforts to move the area and the nation forward that is the only way they can live peacefully.



“Our troops are watching out for these militants and we are prepared to pounce whenever any of them surfaces in Delta or Bayelsa states,” Rimtip added.



Although Rimtip did not disclose the strategies that would be adopted to contain the ethnic militants if they arrived, our correspondent learnt that increase patrols of the creeks and surveillance of oil installations have been ordered.



“There will be stringent security arrangements for travellers in the waterways and all suspicious cargoes would be stopped and checked for arms and ammunition because we do not want another arms build up in this area,” a source in the JTF revealed.



In spite of JTF's assurance, states’ officials and riverside community residents were apprehensive yesterday that the arrival of the Okirika-born Ateke in the area could torpedo the peace being enjoyed in the state for over one year now.



It was gathered that Ateke is believed to be cooling off in a boundary community between Delta and Bayelsa State, after fleeing his base in Okochiri because of clashes with the Joint Task Force.



Over 100 persons have been killed in the renewed violence in the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt and other riverside towns and the reported arrival of the NDV leader is generating fears among indigenes of the riverside communities.



It would be recalled that a similar visit by Ateke to Bayelsa State a few months ago led to a bloody clash between him and his host, Ukodo, whose death was blamed on Ateke.



Meanwhile, Chief Edwin Clark has appealed to the Rivers State Government officials to soften its stance on the face-off with militants, adding that only dialogue can restore peace to the region.



Clark , in a telephone interview with our correspondent, hinted that militant leaders including Ateke and others were relocating because of the violence in the state.



He said any peace that is not won through genuine dialogue with the aggrieved warlords could be temporary because they could return to foment trouble in the oil-rich state when the military operation dies down.



Consequently, he advised Governor Rotimi Amaechi to enter into negotiation with the aggrieved warlords, saying the search for peace in the region should be a give and take situation.



To this end, he reaffirmed his call for amnesty to the genuine militants, including Henry Okah of MEND and others who agree to lay down their arms in order for them to be part of the emerging Niger Delta.