Militant leader Asari Dokubo has made a bold assertion, stating that President Muhammadu Buhari employed him to protect the Abuja-Kaduna highway. The highway has been plagued by safety concerns during Buhari’s administration, with frequent incidents of kidnappings and murders.
During his visit to President Bola Tinubu at Aso Rock last month, Dokubo boasted that his men were responsible for the improved stability along that route. He declared that there was an ongoing war and criticized the Nigerian military for allegedly blackmailing the state. According to Dokubo, it was his group that ensured the safety of travelers on the Abuja-Kaduna road, not the army.
Dokubo claimed to be actively involved in fighting for the Nigerian government in various states, including Plateau, Niger, Anambra, Imo, Abia, and Rivers. He emphasized that his group achieved significant success with only a fraction of the resources available to the Nigerian military. Dokubo accused the military of theft and questioned their claims of insufficient armament.
While the armed forces denied Dokubo’s allegation of oil theft, they did not officially respond to the issue of securing the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
In a recently released video, Dokubo reiterated his claim that peace and stability were restored to the road through his intervention. He acknowledged that he had been at odds with President Buhari for a significant part of his administration but stated that Buhari recognized his potential and entrusted him with a crucial task.
Dokubo defended the government’s decision to engage him, highlighting the number of lives saved and people rescued from trauma and depression. He asserted that his group was hired by the government due to their capabilities, even though he was not initially supportive of President Buhari. Dokubo stated that the government acknowledged his abilities and approached him for assistance.
As of the time of reporting, efforts to reach out to Garba Shehu, former spokesman for President Buhari, for comment were unsuccessful as he declined phone calls.
