Former Niger Delta agitator cites statements by IPOB-linked commander Gentle De Yahoo, challenges claims that 'there are no Igbo Muslims'
Former Niger Delta agitator and traditional ruler, Mujahid Asari Dokubo, has raised alarm over what he describes as escalating threats against Muslims in parts of Eastern Nigeria, alleging that a "Muslim genocide" is underway in the region.
Dokubo, who holds the title of Amanyanabo of Torusarama-Piri in Rivers State, made the explosive claims during a live broadcast on his official Facebook page Monday, citing statements attributed to an individual identified as Gentle De Yahoo—reportedly a commander of the Biafra Liberation Army, a group linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network.
'Listen to What They Are Saying'
In the video, which has since circulated widely across social media platforms, Dokubo directed viewers' attention to specific remarks he claims demonstrate hostile intent toward Muslims in the South-East.
"All of us listen to Gentle De Yahoo who is being praised," Dokubo said, suggesting that the commander's statements have been met with approval rather than condemnation within certain circles.
He argued that if any form of genocide is occurring in Nigeria, it is against Muslims in the Eastern region—a claim that sharply reframes the narrative of religious persecution in the country, which has often focused on attacks against Christians in the North.
Challenging Religious Identity
Dokubo also addressed recurring assertions that there are no Igbo Muslims, challenging those making such claims and questioning who has the authority to speak on behalf of all Igbo people.
He maintained that identity and religious affiliation are personal matters and insisted that no individual or group has the right to deny the existence or identity of others based on ethnicity or faith.
The comments touch on a sensitive and longstanding debate about religious diversity within Nigeria's major ethnic groups. While the Igbo are predominantly Christian, there are established Muslim communities in Igbo-speaking areas, particularly in cities like Onitsha and Enugu, as well as among Igbo diaspora populations.
Unverified Claims, No Official Response
As of the time of the broadcast, there was no immediate official response from the groups or individuals mentioned in Dokubo's claims. The Biafra Liberation Army and its reported commander, Gentle De Yahoo, have not issued statements addressing the allegations.
The claims also could not be independently verified, and it remains unclear what specific statements Dokubo was referencing or whether they accurately represent the views of the groups he named.
Reactions and Calls for Restraint
The comments have generated significant reactions across social media platforms, with observers calling for restraint and urging relevant authorities to address any credible security concerns through lawful and peaceful means.
Some commentators expressed concern that inflammatory rhetoric from any quarter could escalate tensions in a region already grappling with complex security challenges, including separatist agitation and criminal violence.
Others questioned Dokubo's motives, noting his own complex history with both the Nigerian state and regional movements. Once a leading figure in the Niger Delta militant struggle, Dokubo has reinvented himself as a traditional ruler and political commentator, often weighing in on national issues with characteristic bluntness.
Context and History
The allegations come amid heightened sensitivity around religious and ethnic identity in Nigeria. The country has experienced cycles of violence linked to both factors, though the South-East has generally been spared the large-scale religious conflicts that have plagued parts of the Middle Belt and North.
IPOB and its affiliated groups have consistently denied targeting individuals based on religion, insisting their agitation is for self-determination rather than sectarian conflict. However, accusations of intimidation and harassment of non-Indigenes in the region have surfaced periodically, often denied by separatist leaders.
The Broader Implications
Dokubo's intervention adds a new dimension to the ongoing conversation about security, identity, and coexistence in Nigeria. Whether his allegations prompt official investigation or are dismissed as inflammatory rhetoric, they highlight the fragile nature of inter-communal relations in a country where religion and ethnicity remain potent political forces.
For Muslims living in the South-East, the claims—if accurate—would represent a deeply concerning development. For the broader Nigerian public, they serve as a reminder that the nation's religious fault lines run in multiple directions, and that vigilance against intolerance is required everywhere, not only in regions where conflict has already erupted.
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