Niger Delta leader and activist, Hon. Gabriel Patterson Unyeowaji, has expressed disappointment with the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) for not investigating allegations made by Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari regarding military helicopters hovering over his residence during the recent local government elections in Rivers State.
In a statement released on Sunday, Unyeowaji, also known as the Igrigi 1 of Niger Delta, condemned the DHQ’s threat to neutralize Dokubo-Asari, labeling it as unwarranted and a danger to democratic security. He argued that the DHQ’s swift response, without conducting an official investigation, implied potential complicity in the incident that prompted Dokubo-Asari’s comments.
Unyeowaji emphasized that the matter should be addressed in line with Nigerian laws that protect self-defense and homeowners’ rights, urging the DHQ to revisit Dokubo-Asari’s claims. Dokubo-Asari had accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of sending an unmarked helicopter to hover over his residence in Obuama, Rivers State, an act which Unyeowaji insists violated Nigerian laws requiring official clearance for aircraft to fly over private property.
He raised critical questions regarding the DHQ’s involvement, asking whether the military ordered the helicopter and, if so, for what purpose. Unyeowaji questioned the DHQ’s quick defense of the flight without investigating the unauthorized activity, and also why it ignored the accusations against Wike.
Unyeowaji further suggested the possibility of rogue elements within the military conducting unauthorized operations and urged the DHQ to focus on addressing pressing national security threats such as banditry and terrorism in the North, instead of issuing threats against Dokubo-Asari, who has contributed to national security.