We won’t arrest Asari-Dokubo – Police

The Nigeria Police Force has said there is no cause for any action on threats by the Leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, over President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election in 2015. It says it has no cause to arrest or issue any warning to the ex-militant.

Speaking to our correspondent in a telephone interview on Friday, the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, said those making inciting statements about 2015 could only be arrested when they had carried out their threats. He however did not state if they had been warned.

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Asari-Dokubo had said there would be no peace in Nigeria, if Jonathan was not re-elected in 2015.

While members of the House of Representatives, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State and some northern leaders called for his arrest, the ex-militant dared security agencies to arrest him, if they could.

He added that the leaders were cowards, if he was not arrested.

Asari-Dokubo had said, “I am not afraid of arrest. I am saying it bold and clear without mincing words, Nigeria will be history if I am arrested. I am daring them to arrest me if they can. If they don’t, they are cowards and shame on them.”

The police spokesperson, however, said the agency was law-abiding and would only respond to unlawful acts.

 He said while the country was running a constitutional system of government, the actions and activities of the police must be anchored on the law.

Mba said, “If we find anybody committing any offence, we will bring the full weight of the law on them. But, we will not go out of our way to get involved in chasing frivolities; we are not politicians, we are a law enforcement agency.

“We won’t be dragged into any controversy. If the police or any other security agency deems it relevant and exigent to carry out  its function, it will carry it out. The most important thing is that the Nigeria Police Force is a creation of law and guided by law.

“We will not be stampeded into controversies or unnecessary political crossfire. We will focus on our job and act when it’s necessary for us.”