Tough-talking former Niger Delta militant, Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, landed himself in trouble when he was arrested and whisked off into detention in the neighbouring country of Benin. The reason for his arrest and detention was not immediately clear, according to his lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo.

Keyamo in a late night statement released in Lagos, the former Nigerian capital, said: “Today, Tuesday, November 26, 2013, my friend and client, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, was arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic, around the hours of 1:00pm and 2:00pm by the country’s gendarmes (Police Force).

“He was picked up around the Lubeleyi roundabout and taken to an unknown destination.” Keyamo said that his client has been living partly in Benin Republic for many years now and carries on legitimate business in the tiny West African country.

He disclosed that “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.”

Keyamo, who is also a politician and rights activist, alleged that Dokubo’s arrest and detention are a ploy by unnamed people in Nigeria working with the Beninoise government to keep him away as 2015 year of Nigerian elections approaches.

“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,” he said.

•Photo shows Dokubo-Asari with his lawyer, Festus Keyamo, who broke the news of his arrest last night.