The Nigerian Navy has debunked viral claims that its helicopter seen landing in a forest in Lagos State was there to deliver weapons to herdsmen.
Though the Naval authorities confirmed that a helicopter landed in a forest in Badagry, Lagos State, it denied insinuations accompanying the viral videos of the incident on social media that the aircraft was used to deliver arms to Fulani herdsmen.
Naija News had earlier reported that a Nigerian Navy chopper identified with the number (NNJI3) was sighted in a forest in the South-West region, causing anxiety among residents of the area.
But reacting to the development, the spokesperson of the Nigerian Navy, Commodore Suleman Dahun told PRNigeria that the helicopter was on a training mission.
Dahun confirmed that there is a military training area in Magbon, Badagry.
“If we want to go for training we take permission from Lagos control tower and fly there, land, and do other maneuvers and come back. How does that amount to carrying arms for terrorists or bandits ?” he queried.
He urged members of the public to disregard social media reports on the encounter, noting that the reports were fake.
Meanwhile, the South-West Governors Forum has condemned the attack by some suspected herdsmen on the people of Igangan, Oyo State on Saturday.
Naija News had reported that gunmen suspected to be Fulani Herdsmen attacked the community killing no fewer than 10 residents.
It was gathered that the Fulani herdsmen attacked the Oyo community at around 11pm on Saturday, leaving the village early Sunday morning.
A source in the community identified two of the people killed as Lekan and Ajani, while a resident of Ayete who is close to the family of the deceased farmers, Olalekan Etu disclosed that hunters were already on their way to track down the Fulani killers.
However, a statement on Sunday, signed by the Chairman of the forum and Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, described the incident as horrendous, callous, and highly provocative.
The governor said all well-meaning Nigerians must condemn the act in the strongest term possible, adding that the attack is an assault on decency and communal harmony.
Akeredolu noted that the governors have resolved to defend the people of the region against suspected herdsmen, bandits, and other criminals.
He, however, called on the people in the region to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement in their communities to the security agencies.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News