As well as an increasing number of threats from MEND and other terrorist groups in the Niger Delta, security consultants working for expat companies in Nigeria also say that they have heard about a probable attack on an oil industry installation in Rivers State in the next few days. A leaked Nigerian army report has stirred up the rebels because they talk of a large increase in troop numbers to wipe out terrorist camps in the Niger Delta. In response to this Ateke Tom is stockpiling arms, food and water in readiness for another large offensive.
As SAS says, the Nigerian military has so far proved itself incompetent to take on Ateke Tom, despite the fact that he moves around quite openly in Port Harcourt with a large escort of armed supporters. It seems quite likely that there are many military and police men in collusion with him (probably in return for large sums of money).
Everyone based in Port Harcourt should be more vigilant about security over the coming weeks.