Inside Nigeria
Asari Dokubo Again! Threatens to Shoot Military Helicopters
... Accuses Wike of using his billions to scatter Rivers
A scary dimension was added to Saturday’s local government election in Rivers State as former militant leader, Asari Dokubo, raised alarm that two military helicopters had been conducting aerial surveillance over his residence, threatening to shoot them down if they didn’t stop.
Dokubo, a rabid antagonist of FCT Minister and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, fired the warning in a video he released on Saturday while the local government election was ongoing. The video went viral on X.
The 60-year-old ex-militant-turned-university owner purported that two helicopters had been flying menacingly over his sprawling compound for over 30 minutes without reason. He fingered the federal government, Nigeria Police Force and Wike supporters as the masterminds of the provocative action.
“I have the capacity to contain them,” Dokubo warned, maintaining that he could not be cowed by any act of provocation.
“Nigeria cannot surrender to Wike, Rivers people will not surrender to Wike, Ijaw people will not surrender to Wike.”
Dokubo, who strongly opposes military operations in the Niger Delta, thumbed his chest and declared that he was never afraid of death, rather, he was ready to embrace the grim reaper anytime it comes.
“I have never been afraid of death,” Dokubo declared. “I’ve always embraced death, so I am not afraid of death. Wike is nobody.”
He warned that he would be blameless if he shot down the helicopters. In the unlikely event of that happening, he maintained that the liability would be on the military and government for what he termed provocation.
“I didn’t go and look for the helicopter to shoot them down. I will shoot down the helicopter. I swear by Allah that I will shoot down the helicopter,” he said.
Leaving the helicopters for a season, he descended on Wike, accusing him of using his stupendous wealth and influence for political gain.
“Wike is nobody without his billions,” Dokubo fired the controversial FCT Minister. “Let them remove this thing from him, and we’ll see.” added.
