The Defence Headquarters has reacted 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, which has resulted in insinuations and panic inimical to public peace.
A signed statement by the Director, Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau indicates that 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.
He said “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 enter 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 statement noted.
DHQ while guaranteeing the peace and traqulity of the nation advised Nigerians to go about their lawful businesses.
The Defence Headquarters under the leadership General Lucky Irabor CFR however assured Nigerians that the nation is not under any threat that will warrant the deployment of United Nations troops.
