Asari Dokubo released: Flown to Abuja:

• Presidency Denies Using Presidential Jet to Fly Asari- Dokubo to Abuja

Former  Niger Delta activist and leader of Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, NDPVF, Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, has been released by the authorities of Benin Republic.

Vanguard learnt that Dukobo was set free around 1:00 AM Nigerian time today after spending 36 hours with the Beninoise gendarmes.

It was gathered that the former militant was immediately flown to Abuja. Dokubo was arrested Tuesday afternoon in Cotonou.

The special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati has denied reports that a presidential jet was used to bring Asari Dokubo to Abuja after he was released by Benin Republic police.

In an interview in Abuja yesterday, Dr Abati said “There is no truth in the report that a presidential jet was used to convey Asari Dokubo. Again, what we see here is the attempt by people to just tell lies and try to package lies as the truth.

“I have read some reports in which they said “unconfirmed reports indicate..” Nobody has been able to say anything categorically and I think it is very sad that people, in an attempt to just play politics with anything at all, will start packaging lies hoping that gullible persons will believe them.

“An aircraft is not a ghost in the air. The movement of any aircraft is properly documented and people will see the aircraft if it lands anywhere, particularly the presidential aircraft.

“Nobody can come up with any evidence that any presidential jet was sent to Benin Republic. I can tell you that President Jonathan did not send any presidential jet to Benin Republic.

“Or has Asari Dokubo told anybody that he was brought to Nigeria in a presidential jet? So what is this all about? Blackmail and mischief obviously” he said.