By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Defence Headquarters on Thursday dared former militant leader, Asari Dokubo, to come to the battlefield and witness the capabilities of the military at close range.
The headquarters threw the gauntlet to Dokubo in a statement issued by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba. Buba noted that though Dokubo’s threat was ridiculous it would not be overlooked as actions will be taken by the appropriate quarters.
He further vowed that the ex-militant leader would be neutralised if he showed up on the battlefield, and he called upon the relevant security agency to address the matter.
Buba added that Dokubo should thank his star that Nigeria is now a democracy where the rule of law must be upheld if not he would have been taught a lesson.
Buba stated, “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. 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.”
Dokubo had in the heat of the Rivers State crisis, following heated tussle over the scheduled local government elections, had threatened to shoot down a military helicopter he claimed was flying over his house in Rivers State.
He boosted that he had the capacity to confront and shoot down the helicopter if the need arose.
