Ijaw Youth Council confirms Asari Dokubo is not dead

The Ijaw Youth Council has dismissed the rumoured attack by military personnel on Alhaji Asari Dokubo, founder of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF).

There were widespread rumours of Asari being killed in an alleged confrontation with soldiers on Saturday morning.

But in a statement by the spokesman for IYC, Eric Omare, on Saturday said the former militant warlord was in good health and there was never a confrontation between him and military men.

IYC, an umbrella body for Ijaw youths, also called for the immediate withdrawal of troops from the region particularly the creeks of the Niger Delta following the recent ceasefire deal reached with militant youths and stakeholders in the region.

The group stated that there was no reason for military deployment in the region, adding that such was already causing tension and fear among people in the region.