The Defence Headquarters recently addressed the controversy surrounding former Niger Delta militant leader Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, who allegedly made threats against military helicopters flying over his residence. Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, emphasized that pursuing actions against Asari-Dokubo would cast the military in an undemocratic light. His stance highlights the importance of maintaining professionalism in military operations, particularly in a democratic context where the military should not act on individual statements without substantial evidence. Instead, Buba suggested that other security agencies with specific roles should handle the situation, asserting that any confrontation would be more appropriate on the battlefield rather than responding to mere threats.
While dismissing Asari-Dokubo’s threats as lacking credibility and capability, Buba reaffirmed the military’s ongoing focus on neutralizing true threats, specifically terrorists across Nigeria. He pointed out that groups referred to as bandits or terrorists represent a unified challenge in different regions, such as the North-West and North-East. With the military’s commitment to combating these threats, Buba reported significant progress in operations, emphasizing the military’s strategic approach to dismantling terrorist leadership. Over the past three quarters, the military has reportedly eliminated over 300 terrorist commanders while crippling the operational capabilities of various terrorist groups across Nigeria.
Recent military operations have demonstrated marked success in the fight against terrorism. Buba revealed that during the preceding week, operations led to the neutralization of 165 terrorists and the arrest of 238 individuals, alongside the rescue of 188 kidnapped victims. Specifically, he mentioned the elimination of a notorious terrorist commander known as Mai Hijabi in Jigawa State. These accomplishments reflect the military’s effective strategy to diminish the strength of terror groups through targeted operations, which Buba claimed have significantly disrupted their combat capacity.
In addition to counter-terrorism efforts, the military has also intensified operations against oil theft in the Niger Delta region. During recent operations, troops apprehended 35 individuals suspected of oil theft and confiscated stolen oil worth approximately N688 million. The military’s success in the Niger Delta was marked by the discovery and dismantling of covert operations involved in illegal oil refining, including the destruction of numerous dugout pits, boats, and storage facilities. Such actions underline the multifaceted mandate of the military, which spans beyond combatting terrorism to include tackling economic crimes that contribute to national security challenges.
The scale of military recoveries during these operations has been substantial, with the seizure of over 789,200 liters of stolen crude oil and significant quantities of illegal products refined from this crude. The military also confiscated a wide array of weapons and ammunition during the raids, including various firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Buba provided a comprehensive list of these recoveries, which underline the military’s extensive operational reach and commitment to securing the nation against threats to both life and economic integrity.
Overall, the military’s recent responses encapsulate a broader strategy focused on maintaining national security through disciplined operations against terrorism and crime. The Defence Headquarters has successfully maintained a balance between addressing threats to sovereignty, such as those posed by individuals like Asari-Dokubo, while emphasizing the need for professionalism and adherence to democratic norms. As the Director of Defence Media Operations reiterated, the military’s primary objective remains the dismantling of terrorist groups, affirming that effective counter-insurgency actions are pivotal in securing long-term peace and stability across various regions in Nigeria.
