In a bold move, the Nigerian military has issued a challenge to former militant leader Asari Dokubo, inviting him to prove his claims about his military capabilities on the battlefield. This challenge comes in response to Dokubo’s recent statements, where he boasted that he could shoot down a military helicopter flying near his residence and asserted that he had the power to control the Nigerian military.
On October 10, Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, responded directly to Dokubo’s comments, labeling them as “laughable.” He emphasized that the military operates within the framework of democracy but also takes such threats seriously. “If he enters the battlefield, he will be neutralized,” Buba stated, expressing confidence in the military’s strength and capability. He dared Dokubo to come forward and see if he could withstand the might of the military.
Buba also made it clear that while the military respects democratic principles, they cannot allow such serious threats to go unchecked. “We cannot act based solely on someone’s comments without due consideration,” he said. His remarks indicate a commitment to professionalism and a measured approach to threats while reaffirming the military’s readiness to confront any challenges.
The military’s focus, as reiterated by Major General Buba, remains firmly on combating terrorism in Nigeria. He explained that, despite varying terminologies used in different regions—such as “bandits” in the northwest or “terrorists” in the northeast—the military categorizes all these groups as terrorists. This unified view allows the military to concentrate its efforts on eliminating threats to national security.
In recent months, the Nigerian military has reported significant successes in its counter-terrorism operations. Major General Buba highlighted that over 300 terrorist commanders have been neutralized in the last three quarters alone. This impressive statistic underscores the military’s ongoing commitment to diminishing the fighting capabilities of these groups and restoring peace in affected regions.
Buba also emphasized the importance of their operations in terms of weapon recovery, stating that they have confiscated large quantities of arms and ammunition during their missions. These recoveries are crucial for reducing the military potential of terrorist groups, which is a vital aspect of the broader strategy to combat insurgency in Nigeria.
In conclusion, the Nigerian military’s challenge to Asari Dokubo is not just a response to his provocative statements but also a reaffirmation of their mission to protect the country from the ongoing threat of terrorism. As the military continues its operations, the situation remains dynamic, with both internal and external pressures shaping the security landscape in Nigeria. The military’s readiness to engage threats, as demonstrated by this challenge, is a clear message that they are committed to ensuring peace and security in the region.
