(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/DEFENSE2-300x214.jpg) The Minister of State for Defence, Erelu (Dr) Olusola Obada have registered Government of Nigeria's displeasure at the attack and killing of Nigerian Soldiers who were serving on the United Nations Peace-keeping mission in Dafur, Sudan.
The Minister condemned the act when the Sudanese Ambassador to Nigeria Dr. Alli was summoned to the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Headquarters, Abuja.
The Minister told the Sudanese Ambassador that the action of the Sudanese Soldiers is highly regrettable and totally unacceptable to the people and Government of Nigeria.
(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/pic-11-300x214.jpg)The Minister recalled that this is the second time that the Sudanese soldiers will attack Nigerian soldiers in Sudan; adding that they were not only attacked, but that their weapons were also taken away by the Sudanese soldiers.
Erelu Obada reminded the Sudanese Ambassador that it is his home government's responsibility to protect and ensure the safety of peace-keepers and that the weapons taken away from Nigerian soldiers be returned to the Nigerian contingent in Dafur.
The Minister said that the relationship between Nigeria and Sudan had been cordial; adding that about five million Nigerians live in Sudan.
She further stated that it is unbelievable that Sudanese Soldiers will attack Nigerian peace keepers more so, when they were wearing both the badge and blue helmet of the United Nations Peace-Keeping Force.
The Minister finally called on the Sudanese government to initiate and set up an enquiry to find and appropriately punish the Sudanese soldiers involved.
In his response, the Sudanese Ambassador apologized to the Nigerian Government over the attack on the Nigerian soldiers in Dafur.
He said that the Government and people of Sudan appreciate Nigeria's effort at bringing lasting peace to Sudan. He thanked Nigeria for its effort at bringing both Sudan and South Sudan to a discussion table in order to find solutions to the Sudanese problems.
The Ambassador said that the Sudanese Government hold Nigeria in high esteem and will not support any such attack on Nigerian soldiers.
The Sudanese Ambassador assured that he will immediately contact his home government and promised that a committee will be set up to find out the soldiers involved in the attack on Nigerian soldiers and appropriate sanctions meted out.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru who hosted the meeting promised to pursue the matter to ensure continued good relationships between the two countries.
Present at the meeting is the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mr. Aliyu Isma'ila.
Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria