The Nigerian Army has denied claims that it collaborated on any military operations with former Niger Delta militant leader Mujahid Asari-Dokubo or his security group.
Recall that Dokubo had asserted he had a military business hired by the government to collaborate with the military in several federation states during an interview on a podcast run by Seun Okinbaloye.
“I don’t have an army, but I have a private military company that was engaged by the Nigerian government, and I have been doing the work for the Nigerian state. Private military companies exist all over the world; we have Black Waters, we have Wagner, we have so many private military companies.
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“So, I have a private military company that is engaged by the government, and we are fighting side by side with the Nigerian military in many places. Like Niger, Plateau, Abia, Imo, and parts of Rivers State. We were in Anambra too. We are doing a good job, and we are being commended by the host communities,” he had said.
However, when speaking with Newsmen, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, claimed that the Army had never carried out an operation with Asari-Dokubo’s men.
He said, “Going by that interview, Dokubo claims he owns a private military company that was engaged by the government of Nigeria. The veracity of his claim can only be ascertained by the relevant agency, statutorily mandated to license such outfits.
“However, it must be clarified that 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 organization he represents in any of those areas he mentioned or in any theatre of operations.”
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