A video has emerged showing former Niger Delta militant leader Asari Dokubo displaying a heavily armed patrol boat allegedly operated by his private militia group, the Amama Soldiers. The vessel is equipped with W85 heavy machine guns mounted at the front and rear, raising concerns over the growing militarization of non-state actors in Nigeria.
The gunboat is believed to be one of several in Dokubo’s fleet, sparking public concern about the proliferation of military-grade weapons outside the control of the Nigerian Armed Forces. Despite the public display, there has been no official response from the Defence Headquarters or other security agencies regarding the legality of such weaponry in private hands.
Asari Dokubo, once a prominent figure in the Niger Delta insurgency, was part of the 2009 Amnesty Program initiated by the federal government to disarm and reintegrate militants. However, questions have resurfaced about the effectiveness of the program, as some former militants continue to maintain armed groups and operate with apparent impunity.
Security analysts warn that the unchecked spread of such firepower undermines the authority of the state, blurs the line between public and private security, and could escalate tensions in an already fragile national security environment.
There has been no official comment from the military or federal authorities as of the time of this report.
