In a move to assuage and arrest possible public panic pandemic, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters has moved swiftly to explain the reason why a fleet of United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping fighting vehicles and collection of other equipment were recently sighted in the streets of Benin, Edo State capital, South-South Nigeria.
The war machines, according to the Defence Headquarters, were meant for deployment for peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.
Making the clarification in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, claimed that the circulation of the video of the said equipment on social media had allegedly spawned insinuations inimical to public peace.
Noting that such a situation might cause panic, Gusau pointed out that, presently, Nigeria is contributing troops to various UN Peacekeeping operations; the most recent being the 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 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.
“The Defence Headquarters, under the leadership of General Lucky Irabor, wishes to assure Nigerians that our nation is not under any threat that will warrant the deployment of UN troops on our soil.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a video clip titled, “tension as heavy military UN trucks arrive Nigeria”, surfaced on a certain BVI YouTube channel on Sunday, with the commentator seen raising alarm that something was cooking in the country that the government was not telling the citizens.
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