By CHINYERE NWAGBO
OPERATIVES of the Joint Task Force, JTF, yesterday, deployed troops to  oil facilities in the Niger Delta region, following renewed threat by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND.

It was gathered that fierce looking soldiers were moved to oil lifting depots in Delta, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States to confront any attack by the militants.

Vanguard learnt the Federal Government was taking the issue of the renewed threat by the militant body serious, which led to a directive to the Commander of the JTF to increase security in the region.

“The Federal Government is not taking the threat by MEND with levity. That is why the Commander of JTF was directed to ensure adequate protection of oil facilities in the region,” a source told Vanguard. “JTF  men have taken over all the facilities and are prepared to confront the so called militants,” the source added.

Vanguard observed heavy military presence close to Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company, WRPC, Petroleum Products Marketing Company, PPMC and Nigerian Gas Company, NGC.

Spokesman of the JTF, Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Antigha confirmed the deployment of soldiers to oil facilities but denied it had to do with the threat by MEND.

He explained that the special security outfit  had internal indicators that determine when to beef up security surveillance or otherwise but that the presence of soldiers in oil locations might be a coincidence with the threat by militants.