FACT CHECK: Video of Asari Dokubo vowing to ‘smoke Nnamdi Kanu out’ is from 2020

Over the weekend, some news reports claimed Asari Dokubo, leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Salvation Force (NDPSF), had mocked Nnamdi Kanu, leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), over his arrest.

Kanu was arrested and extradited to Nigeria in June to face trial after he jumped bail and fled the country in 2017.

Both activists have been at loggerheads over the quest for Biafra — the very cause that unites them. The cold war between them resulted in the formation of the Biafra Customary Government (BCG), headed by Dokubo.

Dokubo was said to have shared the viral video after Kanu’s arrest to mock the IPOB leader.

“Nnamdi Kanu, I promised I will smoke you out. Your madness never start. This one wey start now, na market e dey go. You have harmed Biafrans and traded with us so much,” Dokubo said in the video.

The reports generated a lot of comments from Nigerians.

A Twitter user, @Morgan2471, wrote: “Askari shouldn’t laugh yet.. it is not over! He who laugh last, laugh the best! Osetigo! A lot of people will cover themselves with shame after all these are over. The name Nnamdi Kanu is already Immortal. What of yours?”

Askari shouldn’t laugh yet.. it is not over! He who laugh last, laugh the best! Osetigo! A lot of people will cover themselves with shame after all these are over. The name Nnamdi Kanu is already Immortal. What of yours?

— Morgan247 (@Morgan2471) July 4, 2021

Another user wrote: “@THE_CUR8OR Been thinking about this! What if Asari Dokubo actually provided the Intel used in capturing MNK? My line of reasoning is based on a weird assertion by an ex-IPOB member, who’s on the run, who claimed Kanu frequently visited Kenya.”

Been thinking about this! What if Asari Dokubo actually provided the Intel used in capturing MNK? My line of reasoning is based on a weird assertion by an ex-IPOB member, who's on the run, who claimed kanu frequently visited Kenya

— Not that deep! (@THE_CUR8OR) July 4, 2021

IT’S AN OLD VIDEO

Checks by TheCable show that the video is not recent. Dokubo shared the video on his Facebook page on May 31, 2020, to debunk claims that Kanu had given him N20 million.

The video is also unconnected to the recent arrest and extradition of the Biafran leader.