The Defence Headquarters has reacted to the fears expressed by Nigerians over the presence, a few days ago, of troops and fighting vehicles of the United Nations in Nigeria.
A convoy of the vehicles and troops were seen in Nigeria, sparking fears that Nigeria is at the brink of a war.
But the Defence Headquarters says nothing could be further from the truth. In a statement signed by its Acting Director Defence Information, Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau on Tuesday, it said the UN’s Military Vehicles and Troops, were on their way to Southern Sudan, through the Warri Ports, to meet up with Nigerian Troops on Peace Keeping Mission in thar country. The Mission, the statement said, is commanded by a Nigerian, Major General Olufemi Sawyerr.
The statement reads in full.
“The Defence Headquarters wishes to react to some social media video clips been circulated arising from the presence of some United Nations Peacekeeping fighting vehicles and equipment sighted recently in Benin, Edo state. This has resulted to insinuations which are inimical to public peace and may even cause panic.
“The Defence Headquarters hereby state that presently, Nigeria is contributing troops to various United Nations Peace keeping operations, the most recent is United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), Southern Sudan. The Mission is commanded by a Nigerian, Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr. It should be noted that the UN doesn’t have its own troops, rather it enters into agreement with troops contributing countries to provide their personnel and equipment for operations in its various missions.
“Therefore, it is imperative to state emphatically that the military fighting vehicles and equipment painted in UN colour as sighted are being moved through the Warri port for movement to the mission area in Southern Sudan to marry up with our troops who were inducted into UNISFA mission last month.
“The Defence Headquarters under the leadership of General Lucky Irabor CFR wish to assure Nigerians that our nation is not under any threat that will warrant the deployment of United Nations troops in our soil.
“You are please requested to disseminate this Information through your medium.”
