By; Rt Hon. Gabriel Patterson Unyeowaji

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters in relation to a comment allegedly made by Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo – Asari, the President/CEO of Royal Fouche Security Limited has threatened to neutralize him by viciously inviting him to a none existent battlefield.

In a press release by Major General Edward Buba, it stated that they will take out Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari. This statement is a threat to democracy as it violates the Constitution of Nigeria. It is only a court of competent jurisdiction that can determine what will happen to any Citizen of the Nigerian State.

The position of the Defence Headquarters without any official investigation of whatever it is that Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asari may have said depicts complicity in the event that warranted the comment allegedly made by him. If this issue is approached correctly, the first step is to revisit the comment which is expressly a comment of self defence and homeowners right enshrined in the laws of Nigeria.

If I remember correctly, Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari said that the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike has sent a helicopter that bears no insignia to be hovering specifically over his residence, In Obuama, Rivers State. There is no law in Nigeria that permits any AirCraft to specifically fly or however around a private residence without official permission as it violates the right of the home owner enshrined in the Constitution of Nigeria that protects right to private and family life hence, sailent questions needs to be asked the Defence Headquarters such as:

1. Did the Defence Headquarters order the unmarked Helicopter Gunship to fly or hover specifically over the residence of Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari?

2. If yes then for what reasons especially him being a provider of security in assistance to the Federal Government and if no then why the haste to rise in defence of an aircraft that has violated the Constitutional Provisions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?

3. Why did the Defence Headquarters leave out the complain by Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Asari-Dokubo about the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike is it that they’re protecting him and is it not clear that they’re deliberately after Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo -Asari to murder him given that their statement bears no other humane intellectual argument other than to kill him?

4. Isn’t it possible that there are rogue elements in the ranks and file of the Defense Headquarters otherwise why the threat instead of approaching the issue through an official and diplomatic channel since the AirCraft is in clear violation of the law and if so, is the Defence Headquarters not protecting such rogue elements who could have launched an illegal mission?

The Nigerian Military should know that it does not have parallel governing Authority and Power in this democracy and exercising such unilaterally undermines Nigeria’s Democracy rather the authority and power it exercises comes from the laws of Nigeria as enshrined in the Constitution and the various Acts of the National Assembly and there is nowhere it is empowered to threaten Citizens of the Country especially one who has contributed immensely to the Country security wise.

Again, the Defence Headquarters should channel it’s professional skills of neutralization to tackle the Banditry and Terrorism that has been festering in the North for years. Also it should focus same professional skills of neutralization to recapture the Boko Haram Terrorists that it enrolled into it’s rank and file who has now absconded with sophisticated weapons from the armoury of the military and who are now at large and a source of severe danger to a large catchment of our civilian population.

Finally the Military should not involve themselves in politics of Rivers State or Nigeria in general but should remain neutral. The situation in Rivers State allows Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo- Asari to be conscious of security of his life and that of his loved ones, therefore it is vexatious for any Aircraft whether Military or Civilian to be hovering over his residence specifically. Hence, it is out of place to threaten him over whatever he says (having a right to freedom of speech) in relation to the danger and insecurity to himself and his people triggered by that unmarked Aircraft.

On this note it will be in order if Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo – Asari files for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights against the Defence Headquarters because it has no right to act anyhow or recklessly. Also the attention of the National Assembly especially the Senate Committee on Defence is to be called to invite representatives of the Defence Headquarters for questioning. We are in a Democracy not in a Military regime and as such no agency of Government can hold the country to ransom.

Rt Hon. Gabriel Patterson Unyeowaji
Igrigi 1 of Niger Delta.

Oil and gas host communities in Akwa Ibom State have voiced frustration over the delay in receiving funds from oil companies for Host Communities Development Trusts (HCDTs), which has stalled vital development projects.

Leaders from Ibeno, Eket, Mbo, Esit Eket, Uruan, and Ikot Abasi Local Government Areas criticized the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for failing to enforce penalties on oil companies that withhold funds or fail to establish the required Trusts.

The concerns were raised during a two-day stakeholder dialogue, organized by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) with support from Oxfam, aimed at addressing the challenges faced by HCDTs under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The communiqué issued at the event called for greater accountability and transparency, urging the NUPRC to provide clearer data on revenue paid by oil companies, ensure compliance, and address the influence of elites in diverting the intended benefits from HCDTs. Recommendations included the establishment of digital transparency platforms for HCDTs and increased investigative reporting by the media to track projects in host communities.

The dialogue emphasized the need for stronger enforcement of HCDT provisions to ensure oil host communities receive fair benefits and social services like healthcare and education.

Akwa Ibom’s Commissioner for Health, Augustine Umoh, has announced that more than 12,000 people have enrolled in the state’s health insurance scheme, known as AriseCare.

In an interview in Uyo on Friday, Umoh highlighted that the program aims to improve public access to healthcare while reducing the financial burden on families.

Umoh expressed satisfaction with the progress of the scheme, noting that registration is ongoing and healthcare services will soon be fully available under AriseCare. He mentioned that the scheme has already covered the cost of delivery and medical tests for a newborn, illustrating its benefits.

The commissioner encouraged more residents to sign up for the program, emphasizing its value in promoting health and wellness for families in the state.