Nigerian Military Challenges Former Militant Leader, Asari Dokubo To Battlefield

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has issued a challenge to Asari Dokubo, a former militant leader from the Niger Delta, inviting him to a battlefield demonstration of the Nigerian military’s capabilities.

This challenge follows Asari Dokubo’s October 5 threat to shoot down a military helicopter he claimed was circling his home. He claimed that he could effectively confront the Nigerian military.

During a press briefing on Thursday, Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, dared Dokubo to join the military in a confrontation to see if he could indeed match their strength.

He warned that Dokubo would be neutralized if he appeared on the battlefield and urged relevant security agencies to take appropriate action regarding his threats.

Buba also emphasized that the military operates within a democratic framework and must consider responses carefully to avoid accusations of being undemocratic.

He pointed out that the military is just one part of the country’s security structure, and other agencies also have roles to play in addressing such threats.

“Now, to comment that he can shoot down military helicopters is laughable, and I am tempted to laugh about that. We are in a democracy, and we are professional;

“We cannot simply act on someone’s comments without due consideration, lest we be accused of being undemocratic,” Edward Buba said.

He added, “The military is not the only security agency or department in the country. Other security forces have a constitutional role to play in addressing these issues.

“I assure you that he does not possess that capability, but I will leave it to the appropriate security forces to handle the matter. Our mandate is to confront him on the battlefield and take him out. He should come to the battlefield and see whether we can react or not.”

General Buba emphasized that the military’s primary focus is combating terrorism in various regions.

He reported significant progress in military operations, revealin that over the last three quarters, they have successfully eliminated more than 300 terrorist leaders, along with their foot soldiers.

“Our enemy is the terrorists. While some may choose to label them differently depending on the region, in the northwest and northeast, some refer to them as bandits,” he said.

“I tell you, they are all terrorists. We must label them for what they are. “Troops are making significant progress; as I mentioned, we prioritise targeting terrorist leadership, and we have successfully eliminated over 300 terrorist commanders in the last three quarters, not to mention their foot soldiers.

“Our aim is to diminish their fighting capabilities and to damage their military potential, which we have been achieving. As indicated in the brief you have just received, you can see the number of weapons and ammunition we have recovered.”

KanyiDaily recalls that the Nigerian Army had previously denied having a partnership with Asari Dokubo or his security outfit in any part of the country.