The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Thursday responded to threats by an ex-militant leader, Asari Dokubo, challenging him to come to the battlefield and witness the capabilities of the military.
Dokubo, had in a viral video on social media, threatened to shoot down a military helicopter hovering around his community during the recent local government election in Rivers state.
However, responding to questions from journalists about threats by Dokubo during a press briefing, Director of Defence Media Operations Maj.- Gen Edward Buba dared him to enter the battlefield and see whether he could indeed contend with the military.
Buba further vowed that the ex-militant leader would be neutralised if he showed up on the battlefield, and he called upon the relevant security agency to address the matter.
Buba stated: “Now, to comment that he can shoot down military helicopters is laughable, and I am tempted to laugh about that. We are in a democracy, and we are professional; we cannot simply act on someone’s comments without due consideration, lest we be accused of being undemocratic.
“The military is not the only security agency or department in the country. Other security forces have a constitutional role to play in addressing these issues. I assure you that he does not possess that capability, but I will leave it to the appropriate security forces to handle the matter. Our mandate is to confront him on the battlefield and take him out. He should come to the battlefield and see whether we can react or not.”
…Troops neutralise 165 terrorists
Buba also said troops deployed to various theatres of operations across the country neutralised 165 terrorists and arrested 238 persons in one week.
The military high command also said troops arrested alleged 35 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 188 kidnapped hostages.
According to him, troops denied the oil ‘thieves’ of crude estimated to worth the sum of N688,125,150.00.
He also spoke on the fate of the immediate past Commander 3 Brigade, Kano, Brigadier General MA Sadiq, who was suspended for allegedly diverting palliative meant for soldiers and other misconducts, saying the officer will face a Military Court Martial.
General Buba assured that the military high command, led by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, takes the welfare of troops seriously.
He said: “Regarding the welfare of troops, I must tell you that when you look at the high command of the military, beginning from the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the service chiefs, the common denominator among them is that all of them have operational experience and they have being to the battle field.
“They know what the needs of the troops are and they have made it their priority. I can assure you that the military high command doesn’t play with welfare. I know where you are going when you asked about the welfare of troops. It is the case of the Brigadier General who has been relieved of his command based on issues surrounding welfare and other misdeeds.
“I wish I could say much about that issue but I cannot because that case is going before a military court martial. By the time I put words forward here now, we will be accused of saying something. We must note that they say you are innocent until proven guilty.”
Speaking earlier on successes recorded by the troops, he said troops destroyed a substantial part of the combat capacity of terror groups and their leadership.
“For instance, one of the notorious terrorist commanders in Jigawa state, known as Mai Hijabi, was eliminated from the battlefield during the week. Troops are therefore increasingly making significant strides across all theatres of operations,” he said.
He added that troops recovered 153 assorted weapons and 2,182 assorted ammunition.
Giving the breakdown, Buba said: “81 AK47 rifles, 23 fabricated rifles, 27 dane guns, 13 pump action guns, 5 locally made pistols, 3 revolver pistols, 30 AK47 magazines and one bayonet.
“Others are: 1,561 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 278.”