The Nigerian military challenges Asari Dokubo after his threat to shoot down a helicopter, daring him to test their strength on the battlefield amidst rising tensions.

The Defence Headquarters of Nigeria recently issued a direct challenge to former militant leader Mujahid Asari Dokubo, following his threats to shoot down a military helicopter that hovered over his residence during the Rivers State local government elections. 

Asari’s provocative statement has drawn national attention, leading to a sharp response from the military, who dared him to face their forces on the battlefield.

Asari Dokubo’s Threat: "I Will Shoot Down Their Helicopter"

In a viral video, Asari Dokubo expressed anger at what he referred to as "Wike's Soldiers" and "Wike’s police," accusing them of sending helicopters to hover over his home. Asari did not mince words, stating, 

"I have the capacity to contain them. Nigeria cannot surrender to Wike, Rivers people will not surrender to Wike. The Ijaw people will not surrender to Wike."

Doubling down on his threat, he vowed, "I will shoot down their helicopter. I swear by Allah that I will shoot down the helicopter. Whoever is commanding them should be warned."

His statements shocked many, especially given his history as a former Niger Delta militant leader. The tension has since escalated, with Nigerians closely watching how the military will respond.

Military’s Response: "Come to the Battlefield and See"

In response to Asari's threats, Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, made it clear that the military would not be intimidated. He dismissed Asari’s claims as "laughable," challenging him to test the military’s might firsthand on the battlefield.

"Now, the comment by an individual that he can shoot down military helicopters is laughable," Buba said. "We are in a democracy, and we are professionals. We cannot simply act on someone’s comments without due consideration. But if he wants to face us on the battlefield, let him come, and we’ll take him out."

Buba further emphasized that the military is currently focused on combating terrorists across various regions of Nigeria. "Our enemy is the terrorists. We’ve been eliminating their leadership, and in the last three quarters alone, over 300 terrorist commanders have been neutralized," Buba noted.

Why the Military Hasn’t Pursued Asari Dokubo

Despite Asari’s threats, the Defence Headquarters explained that the military has refrained from taking immediate action against him to avoid being labeled as undemocratic. Buba said, "There are other security agencies responsible for handling such matters. Our role is to fight the terrorists in the battlefield."

Buba also pointed out that the military does not consider Asari’s threat as credible. “I tell you, he doesn’t have the capability to shoot down military helicopters. But I’ll leave it to the appropriate security forces to address this.”