Abuja, Nigeria – The Defence Headquarters has issued a stern challenge to former militant leader Asari Dokubo following his recent threats to shoot down a military helicopter. Dokubo, on October 5, claimed that he could defeat the Nigerian military and “contain” their forces.
Responding to this assertion, Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, dismissed Dokubo’s threats as laughable and dared him to confront the military on the battlefield. Buba emphasized that Dokubo does not possess the capability to carry out such actions and invited him to test his claims in combat.
“We are professionals, and we operate within the framework of democracy. While we cannot react impulsively to such comments, I assure you that if Dokubo enters the battlefield, he will be neutralised,” Buba stated during a press briefing.
He further underscored that the military’s main focus remains combating terrorists in the various theatres of operation across the country, including in the northwest and northeast, where the insurgents are often labeled as bandits.
Buba proudly noted that significant progress had been made by the military in neutralizing terrorist leaders. Over the past three quarters, more than 300 terrorist commanders have been eliminated, along with several foot soldiers, significantly reducing their fighting capability.
“Our mission is to degrade the military potential of these terrorists, and we have been successful in doing so,” Buba added, highlighting the large quantities of weapons and ammunition recovered by the military during recent operations.
In addressing Dokubo’s comments, Buba stressed that other security agencies would handle the legal and security concerns, while the military remains ready to confront him if necessary.
