In a recent video shared on Facebook on Thursday, February 5, 2026, Niger Delta activist and Kalabari chieftain, Asari Dokubo, spoke on security operations and his personal involvement in efforts to address insecurity in parts of the country, particularly ahead of foreign assistance.
According to Dokubo, “Before Donald Trump sent American troops here, I had been in the field searching for them,” a statement he used to emphasize that his engagement on security matters did not begin with the arrival of U.S. forces reportedly deployed under the administration of President Donald Trump.
He explained that his activities were driven by a long-standing commitment to protecting communities and gathering firsthand information about security threats. According to him, local efforts and ground-level knowledge are critical in confronting insecurity and should not be overlooked when external partners become involved.
Dokubo noted that foreign assistance, when it comes, should complement ongoing local initiatives rather than replace them. According to him, Nigeria’s security challenges require people who understand the terrain, the communities, and the underlying causes of violence.
The Niger Delta activist also stressed that his position has remained consistent: cooperation is acceptable only when it respects Nigeria’s sovereignty and works within established national structures. According to Dokubo, any support that disregards local leadership or realities risks worsening the situation.
He further stated that narratives portraying Nigerians as passive or inactive before foreign involvement are misleading. According to him, many individuals and groups have been working quietly and persistently to address insecurity long before international attention intensified.
Dokubo further stated that sustainable peace can only be achieved when internal efforts are acknowledged and strengthened, adding that foreign support should serve as reinforcement, not the foundation, of Nigeria’s security response.