by ‘Jola Sotubo

The arrest and detention of former militant and Niger Delta activist, Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, has continued to generate controversy in the country.

The development has caused his brothers-in-arms, under the umbrella of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF) to speak up in his defence.

The organization has issued a threat and a warning to the Beninoise authorities to either release Asari-Dokubo or face dire consequences.

Vanguard reports:

The Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, NDPVF, issued the warning, signed by its leader, Mr. Rex Ekiugbo Anighoro in Abuja last night, following the arrest and detention of Dokubo in an unknown location since Tuesday afternoon.

The arrogance of Shekau and his group is unislamic. Which President if not Goodluck, will accept somebody to tell him to become a Muslim or resign?

NDPVF, which also likened the arrest to a kidnap by the authorities, said that they were appalled by the unprovoked breach of the fundamental rights of the youth leader.

It said: “We hold this arrest as an absurdity. It is unprovoked and questionable and has been without any reason from the government of Republic of Benin.

“We consider this as a kidnap of our leader by the President of Republic of Benin working with certain opposition figures in Nigeria.

“We hereby make demand on President Yayi Bonni of the Republic of Benin to release, unconditionally and with immediate effect, our leader Alhaji Asari-Dokubo and offer unreserved apology to him for this monumental breach of his rights.

“We call on all the aggrieved youths of Niger Delta to be on red alert and ready for a total showdown and shut down if in the next 48 hours his release has not been made.

“We call on the President of the Nigerian union to mediate on this potential diplomatic row that may lead to an unprecedented conflagration.”