DHQ clears air on UN fighting vehicles sighted in Edo, says ‘Nigeria not under threat’
The Defence Headquarters says Nigerians have nothing to panic about concerning the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping fighting vehicles sighted in the country.
A video posted on social media had shown the UN fighting vehicles and equipment passing through Benin, Edo state capital.
In a statement on Tuesday, Tukur Gusau, the acting director of defence information, said Nigeria was contributing troops to various UN peacekeeping operations and was only exporting those vehicles and equipment to troops in Sudan.
He added that Nigeria was not under any threat that would require the deployment of UN troops in the country.
“The Defence Headquarters wishes to react to some social media video clips being circulated arising from the presence of some United Nations Peacekeeping fighting vehicles and equipment sighted recently in Benin, Edo state. This has resulted in insinuations which are inimical to public peace and may even cause panic,” the statement reads.
“The Defence Headquarters hereby state that presently, Nigeria is contributing troops to various United Nations Peacekeeping 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 the UNISFA mission last month.
“The Defence Headquarters under the leadership of General Lucky Irabor CFR wishes to assure Nigerians that our nation is not under any threat that will warrant the deployment of United Nations troops on our soil.”
