Killings in the Southeast: We want Asari Dokubo arrested and prosecuted – HURIWA

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has called for the arrest of former Niger Delta militant leader Asari Dokubo.

HURIWA believes that Asari has done enough to deserve prosecution by the authorities or at least a public inquiry to determine the legality of his actions.

The human rights group pointed out that during his visit to President Bola Tinubu following his victory in the 2023 presidential election, Asari gave a sensational interview in which he admitted to running a private army.

According to DAILY POST, Dokubo claimed in the interview that he had taken on assignments for the federal government to combat terrorists in the north and carried out operations in the southeast.

Therefore, HURIWA, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, questioned how a private individual could be allowed to operate a private army, which is unconstitutional in Nigeria.

The human rights organization called on the government to investigate allegations “that some of the killings in the southeast during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari were carried out by Dokubo’s so-called private army.”

HURIWA expressed particular concern over the video footage showing Dokubo brandishing state-of-the-art military weapons, which no private citizen is legally allowed to possess in Nigeria.

“Despite these serious allegations, no action has been taken by the army, the Department of State Services (DSS) or other security organizations,” it said.

HURIWA expressed concern that the army and police “continue to parade persons allegedly arrested as IPOB members, but there is no transparent disclosure on how many of these persons have been successfully prosecuted.”

The human rights group demanded answers on “how many of those arrested have been tried, convicted or are still in custody. In addition, HURIWA questioned whether there is any solid evidence linking the mainstream IPOB, loyal to long-incarcerated Nnamdi Kanu, to the killings.”

HURIWA reiterated its belief that the detention of Nnamdi Kanu was illegal, arguing that the government had failed to present any evidence linking him to the violence in the South East.

The group drew a parallel between Kanu’s case and that of a Miyetti Allah leader who was arrested and later released by the government despite facing charges in court.

“The sudden withdrawal of charges by the federal government and the release of the leader of Miyetti Allah raises questions about the selective application of the law,” it added.

The association called for an independent and transparent investigation into the murders in the southeast to determine the true identity of the perpetrators.

The group said it was “convinced that only an international body such as the UNHRC can conduct an impartial investigation that will hold those responsible to account for their actions.”

HURIWA also called for the immediate release of the leader of the indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.