According to a report by The Sun News, on Sunday, March 29, 2026, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, the former leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force and Amayanabo of Elem Kalabari, offered a blunt and extensive assessment of Nigeria’s persistent security crisis.
During a comprehensive interview conducted in Abuja, the prominent figure delved into the root causes of the nation’s inability to suppress banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping.
He argued that the lack of meaningful progress is primarily due to internal friction within the various security services, conflicting agendas held by those in power, and a stubborn commitment to antiquated methods that have failed time and again.
Regarding international cooperation, Dokubo-Asari claimed that the security partnership between Nigeria and the United States has been largely unsuccessful.
He specifically criticised prominent American figures, including President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, accusing them of harbouring biases against Nigerian Muslim populations.
He contended that these foreign alliances are not only ineffective but also inherently discriminatory, leading to an uneven and unfair application of security measures across different parts of the country.
Focusing on his home region, Dokubo-Asari lamented the significant decline in the political weight of the Niger Delta.
He drew a sharp contrast between the current political landscape and the eras of leaders like Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’Adua, and Yakubu Gowon, noting that the Ijaw people once held numerous influential ministerial posts.
However, he observed that representation is minimal, with the sole Ijaw minister holding a position he views as largely ceremonial and devoid of genuine executive power.
This perceived marginalisation, he suggested, has fuelled a deep sense of alienation among the people of the region.
The former militant leader also addressed a perceived generational shift in activism, criticising younger advocates for prioritising individual profit over the broader interests of their communities.
He noted with disapproval that the current generation often engages in practices he once considered strictly off-limits, such as seeking financial favours from oil firms or participating in criminal enterprises.
Dokubo-Asari emphasised that throughout his years of struggle, he maintained a strict moral code, intentionally avoiding illegal acts like oil bunkering or kidnapping to set a standard of integrity for those following in his footsteps.
When the conversation turned to his political support for President Tinubu, Dokubo-Asari made it clear that his loyalty is rooted in personal history rather than ethnic or regional solidarity.
He stated, “Tinubu stuck out his neck for me against a South-West president. But the people around Tinubu from the South-West are so arrogant, and they look at everybody as if to say, ‘Who is this one coming?’ You can’t do that in front of me.”
He further suggested that while his commitment to the president remains, the leader himself seems isolated from the struggles of the populace due to the exclusionary and haughty nature of his inner circle.
Dokubo-Asari expressed significant doubt about the leadership potential of Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and Rotimi Amaechi.
While acknowledging Atiku’s previous service as vice president, he argued that his ability to lead the nation as its top executive remains unproven.
He was equally critical of Amaechi, questioning what the former minister actually achieved during his many years in high office.
His most severe caution was directed at Peter Obi, as he warned of the dangers of placing the country’s future in the hands of individuals who lack a demonstrated track record of managing complex executive responsibilities.
On the front lines of the security struggle, Dokubo-Asari revealed that his own organisation has been actively involved in neutralising threats in states like Imo, Zamfara, Plateau, and Niger since 2021.
He detailed successful missions against separatist groups and insurgents, advocating for the use of local forces who understand the terrain better than foreign contractors.
However, he expressed bitterness over the government’s failure to compensate his team, claiming they have gone unpaid for over three years despite their dangerous work.
He concluded that certain interests benefit from the status quo of chaos, which is why local solutions are often sidelined for expensive, ineffective foreign alternatives.
He called for a complete transformation of the national security framework, emphasising that only a coordinated, locally driven, and decisive strategy can truly protect Nigerian citizens…..See More
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