Nigerian Army Opens Up on Alleged Partnership With Dokubo Asari’s Private Security Outfit
- The Nigerian Army has distanced itself from the security outfit assembled by the ex-rebel leader, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari
- Army's spokesman, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the veracity of Dokubo’s claim could only be ascertained by the relevant agency statutorily mandated to license such outfits
- The Nigerian Army said it has never conducted any operation jointly or side-by-side with Dokubo-Asari or the organisation he runs
FCT, Abuja - The Nigerian Army (NA) has said it has no partnership with Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, the founder of the defunct Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force (NDPVF), or his security outfit.
The ex-militant leader had claimed during several Facebook Live programmes monitored by Legit.ng that he owns a military company engaged by the government to work alongside the military in some states.
Source: Facebook
Army denies pact with Asari Dokubo
However, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, refuted Dokubo-Asari’s claim.
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On Friday, August 11, The Punch quoted Nwachukwu as saying the Army had never conducted an operation in any part of the country in collaboration with Dokubo’s men.
His words:
“The Nigerian Army is not in any form of partnership or collaborative pact with the ex-militant or whatever private security outfit he claims to own.
“It is also expedient to place on record that contrary to his claims, the Nigerian Army has never conducted any operation jointly or side by side with Asari or the organisation he represents, in any of those areas he mentioned or in any theatre of operations.”
El-Rufai's relationship with Army chief
In a piece of related news, Legit.ng reported that Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna state, spoke up on his relationship with the Chief of Army Staff, Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, while sharing a morale video of the military general.
El-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform for eight years, expressed optimism that Lagbaja "will wipe out terrorism, banditry, vandalism and militancy in Nigeria."
Army bombards IPOB's hideout
Legit.ng also reported that amid the ongoing insecurity caused by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the southeastern parts of Nigeria, the Nigerian Army busted one of their hideouts in Asaba, Delta state.
In a statement signed by Brigadier-General Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, it was revealed that troops of 63 Bde Garrison under the auspices of 6 Division, Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services completed a raid on these hoodlums.
Source: Legit.ng
