- The Borno State Government confirmed the escape of six unarmed insurgents but denied claims that they fled with government weapons
- Commissioner Prof. Usman Tar warned against terrorist propaganda, emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions to combat insecurity in Nigeria
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has issued a stern warning to former militant leader Asari Dokubo, challenging him to face the military on the battlefield after his claims about being able to shoot down helicopters.
In a viral video released last Saturday, Dokubo alleged that two helicopters had been hovering over his residence for over 30 minutes.
He interpreted this as provocation from the government, the police, and Nyesom Wike’s allies, including the former Rivers State Governor and FCT Minister.
Dokubo issued a bold warning, saying, “I will shoot down the helicopter. I swear by Allah that I will shoot down the helicopter,” while emphasizing that if such an event happened, he should not be blamed.
In response, Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, challenged Dokubo’s claims and invited him to test his ability against the military in combat.
Buba dismissed Dokubo’s statement as “laughable” and stressed that while the military is professional and operates within a democratic system, they would confront him if necessary.
“The idea that he can shoot down military helicopters is laughable,” Buba said. “We are professionals and cannot act based on comments without proper investigation. Other security agencies will handle this matter. But we will take him out if he comes to the battlefield.”
Buba reiterated that the military’s primary enemy is terrorists, regardless of whether they are called bandits in different regions.
He highlighted the significant progress made by the military, noting that over 300 terrorist commanders have been neutralized in recent months, along with their fighters. The aim, he said, is to weaken their military capabilities and leadership.
Buba concluded by assuring that the military remains committed to dismantling the terrorist networks and has recovered numerous weapons and ammunition in their operations.