The leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, who was arrested on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 in Cotonou, Benin Republic has been released.

Although the reason for his detention by the Beninoise gendarmes is yet undisclosed, dependable sources revealed to Blank NEWS Online that Dokubo’s release was as a result of urgent diplomatic interventions and personal involvements of Nigeria‘s President Goodluck Jonathan and the Beninoise President Yayi Boni.

Dokubo’s lawyer, Festus Keyamo is said to have confirmed his release on Wednesday but could not give further details.

Dokubo, who spent 36 hours with the Beninoise gendarmes before his release at about 1:00 am Nigerian time on Thursday, November 28, 2013 was said to have been flown to Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory in a jet allegedly deployed by the Presidency, although the Presidency had denied the claim which it described as “cheap blackmail and mischief”.

Recall that security officials in Benin Republic arrested Asari Dokubo, a private investor in the country, on Tuesday evening.

A statement issued by his lawyer, Festus Keyamo on Tuesday said, “He was arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic, around the hours of 1:00pm and 2:00pmby the country’s gendarmes (Police Force) and taken to an unknown destination.

“We want to emphasise that Alhaji Dokubo-Asari carries on legitimate business and has been living partly in Benin Republic for many years now”

“In fact, he owns houses, schools and an academy in that country. All these places have been searched as at this evening and nothing incriminating was found.

“We call on the Nigerian government to immediately intervene and ensure that no harm befalls Alhaji Dokubo-Asari and to use all diplomatic means to secure his immediate release and safe return to Nigeria.”

Also recall that the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) had also sought for the immediate release of Mr. Asari Dokubo.

Their statement read:

“Even though Mr. Asari Dokubo, along with some Niger Delta myopic and corrupt Tribal Assemblies like the Ijaw National Congress, Ijaw Youth Congress, Ijaw Monitoring Group, South-South Peoples Assembly and Elder Edwin K Clark gloated or kept silent over Henry Okah‘s setup, arrest and conviction, we will remember the role Mr. Asari Dokubo had played in the unfinished struggle before he was bought off along with several others.

“If diplomacy fails to prevail, we will not rule out any form of attacks on the Republic of Benin’s interests.”