SocialMediaTrends: Nigerians react as DHQ challenges Asari Dokubo to duel

Nigerians are reacting to a possible showdown between former Niger Delta militant leader, Mujahid Asari Dokubo and the Nigerian Army after the country’s military authorities challenged the former to a duel to taste the might of the force.

Dokubo had stoked the Army’s anger in a viral video last Saturday where he claimed he had the capacity to bring down military aircraft allegedly hovering over his house during the Rivers State local government elections.

In a viral video, Dokubo said two helicopters were flying over his home and compound for over 30 minutes, and warned that should the helicopters be shot down, the blame should be put on him.

“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. The federal government knows that I have the capacity to bring down any aircraft,” he had said.

But in a response to the threat, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, dismissed Dokubo’s claim as not only laughable mere blabbing, asserting that the former militant lacked the capability to challenge the military or bring down its aircraft.

Gen. Buba further dared Dokubo to enter the battlefield and prove he could compete with the military, insisting that the ex-militant leader would be neutralised if he dared to enter into a confrontation with the Army.

“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,” Buba said in a statement.

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“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.”

The challenge has elicited talking points from social media users with many making a mockery of the military for not moving in to arrest Dokubo for threatening to shoot down military helicopters as well as making other inciting statements against constituted authorities.

Others accused the Nigerian military of treating Dokubo with kids gloves and pampering him, which they say is a disgrace to the institution.

Read some comments below:

“This clearly shows all animals are not equal. Instead of Nigerian military inviting Asari Dokubo for his unnecessary outbursts they were busy exchanging pleasantries about capacity. What a disgrace from the army.” – @NnaemekaEdeh1

“If any regular citizen dares Nigerian army, he will be picked up immediately! Asari Dokubo talk him own, Nigerian army says he is just Blabbing.” – @Hiikyaator

“I woke up this morning thinking about the exchange of words between the Nigerian Army and that militant, Asari Dokubo. I shook my head and said, the Nigerian Army has really fallen off. Have you ever heard of the U.S. Army exchanging words with terrorists?” – @MisterJonahh

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“Anywhere else, you can’t make the kind of statements Asari made and remain alive or free within the next 24 hours. The Nigerian Army is a complete disaster.” – @MisterJonahh

“Nigerian military exchanging words with Asari Dokubo? Kaiiiiiiiii.” – @aliuolaitan07

“Nigeria Military challenges, Asari Dokubo To Come To Battlefield, Meet His Death: Sir, can’t you declare him wanted? Does it mean that our gallant military can’t go after him?
Hope those that doesn’t have arsenal, our gallant military wouldn’t tell them to come to battlefield.” – @Ogwuimeri

“Imagine the military 🪖 challenging Asari Dokubo to come out and fight them in Open field!! So they can’t go to his house and arrest him?” – @Onyitexmovies

“A whole mighty Nigerian Military? Exchanging words with a civilian? And you people still telling me to have hope in this country. Really? Imagine a civilian threatening American military? Just imagine. Why is the military challenging a supposed civilian to a fight ? This is why Nigeria can never advance as a country. They just acknowledged that Asari Dokubo is a force. Ediots here and there.” – @EmekaGift100

“I will shoot down Nigeria Police Force helicopters hovering over Rivers State under Wike’s command”, says Asari Dokubo in a video. Ks Asari a law unto himself? Nnamdi Kanu didn’t do a quarter of what Asari has been doing yet. It’s funny it’s called “law enforcement” or “justice” because they absolutely are not anywhere near that. Has Kanu been sentenced? Why is he in jail? Rubbish.” – @RBiakpara

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