Former Militant Leader Asari Dokubo Speaks Against Nnamdi Kanu’s Release
Former Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo, has made it clear that allowing for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), would be a support for criminal behavior. Kanu, standing trial for terrorism, has been in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his re-arrest in 2021. An Abuja Federal High Court had earlier granted him bail in 2017. But it was discovered that he broke his bail conditions and later escaped the country.
As former President Muhammadu Buhari refused to act on the calls for Kanu’s release, some have started appealing for his freedom with the arrival of a new administration. During a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah brought up Kanu’s case. Following his own meeting with the President, Dokubo shared his thoughts on the issue with reporters.
Dokubo stated: “His release would fuel impunity; during EndSars, Nnamdi Kanu was walking free. What did he do? He poured petrol on the flames of EndSars. Now, he has been caught. What of the people who have died? This is a criminal. He should face the law. Releasing Nnamdi Kanu is rewarding criminality and rewarding gruesome murder of innocent people. He should face the law for the actions and instigations he has carried out.”
Dokubo also highlighted the existence of numerous full-scale wars taking place in different parts of the country, referring to the armed uprising led by IPOB’s Eastern Security Network (ESN) in southeast Nigeria. He criticized the Nigerian military for failing to adequately fight the wars and stated that they have enough resources to engage in those battles but are instead involved in stealing and wasting government resources.
Dokubo shared his disappointment regarding the lack of public safety that persists in many Nigerian communities. Schools and hospitals have shut down and communities have been forced to evacuate because of the war going on. Dokubo claims to be fighting on the side of the Nigerian state government with his men and believes that recompense for criminal behavior, and promoting peace, should be at the forefront of the administration’s plans.
