During a media briefing in Abuja, Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, threw down a bold challenge to former militant leader Asari Dokubo, daring him to prove his strength on the battlefield. This follows Dokubo’s claims of government surveillance over his home.
In a defiant statement, General Buba warned that Dokubo would be “neutralized” if necessary, and urged other security agencies to address the situation. “Our enemy is the terrorists,” he said. “Regardless of the names given to them—whether bandits or otherwise—they are all terrorists.”
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Dokubo, in a viral video last Saturday, had accused the government, the police, and supporters of former Rivers State Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, of provoking him. The 60-year-old claimed two helicopters had circled his residence for several minutes, which he saw as an act of intimidation.
“If I shoot down the helicopter, don’t blame me,” Dokubo declared in the video. “I swear by Allah, I will shoot it down if it continues.”
While addressing Dokubo’s threats, General Buba emphasized the military’s ongoing fight against terrorism: “Troops have made significant progress. In the last three quarters, we’ve neutralized over 300 terrorist commanders, in addition to their foot soldiers. Our mission is clear: to weaken their fighting power and reduce their threat, as shown by the weapons and ammunition we’ve recovered.”
The challenge to Dokubo has intensified the debate around security in Nigeria, as the military continues its relentless campaign against insurgents in the country’s northern regions.
