A prominent former Niger Delta militant leader, Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, has issued a fierce warning to Boko Haram insurgents, vowing to personally fight and kill any terrorist who attempts to operate within Port Harcourt.
The declaration, made in a widely circulated video reacting to Nigeria’s escalating national crisis of killings and kidnappings, has reignited the debate over the role of non-state actors in security matters, particularly in the economically vital Niger Delta.
In his blunt statement, Asari-Dokubo asserted his willingness to confront the terror group. “If Boko Haram comes to Port Harcourt, you know my business is to kill them,” he declared, adding that his Muslim faith would not prevent him from fighting back against aggressors. He further claimed to have already been involved in fighting the group in other parts of the country.
This explosive warning carries significant economic weight due to Port Harcourt’s status as the commercial hub of Rivers State, which is the nerve centre of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Rivers State boasts the second-highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Nigeria and hosts critical infrastructure, including the Port Harcourt Refinery and numerous multinational oil companies.
Security analysts note that any successful infiltration by groups like Boko Haram into the South-South region—the main source of national revenue—would be economically catastrophic.
“The persistent insecurity in the Niger Delta, driven by oil theft, kidnapping, and militancy, has already discouraged major domestic and foreign investment,” stated an analyst focusing on the region’s economy. “A new threat from Boko Haram in a critical city like Port Harcourt would cause an immediate and severe flight of capital, disrupting the oil supply chain and further devastating the national economy, which is heavily reliant on the stability of this region.”
Asari-Dokubo’s historical influence and armed capacity in the Niger Delta add gravity to his threat, even as it sparks concerns over the growing dependence on such figures to tackle national security failures. His comments underscore the widespread fear over the spillover of northern insurgency into the oil-producing south.
