We’ll take you out, military warns Asari Dokubo

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has challenged a former militant leader, Asari Dokubo, to come to the battlefield and have a first hand experience of how effective the military is.

In a viral video last Saturday, Dokubo claimed that two helicopters had been flying over his home and compound for over 30 minutes.

The 60-year-old said he perceived the act as provocation from the government, the police, and supporters of former Rivers State Governor and FCT minister, Nyesom Wike.

He warned that should the helicopters be shot down, the blame should not rest on him.

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“I didn’t go and look for the helicopter to shoot them down. I will shoot down the helicopter. I swear by Allah that I will shoot down the helicopter,” he said.

Responding, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba, dared Dokubo to enter the battlefield and prove he could compete with the military.

While vowing that the ex-militant leader would be neutralised, he urged relevant security agencies to address the matter.

He said: “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.

“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.

“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.

“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.”