No, Nigeria hasn’t asked US to apologise to Iran for ‘meddling’, Soleimani killing
This article is more than 4 years old
An article on the site Exclusive.103 claims the Nigerian government gave the United States a 72-hour ultimatum to apologise to Iran or face “drastic actions”.
The 5 January 2020 story says Nigerian troops are ready to fight American soldiers if the US government doesn’t give the apology.
“The minister of information and culture in Nigeria warned that America has no right to meddle in the politics of Iran and to the extent of killing their man,” it reads.
“Nigeria will not take it likely with the USA and Israel if America fails to apologise. I have ordered our military and air force to be ready to combat the America soldiers. American living in Nigeria will feel it.
“We are going to launch our missile the USA if after 72 hours they fail to apologise to the Iranian government! He maintained!”
The article was published two days after the US warned its citizens in Nigeria to stay safe. On 3 January, the US embassy in Nigeria advised Americans in the country to “review their personal security measures” – without giving details of specific threats.
But there’s no evidence that Nigeria’s government has waded into the conflict between the US and Iran, or demanded that the US apologise.
And there’s no sign of the ultimatum on the Nigerian information ministry’s social media accounts.
Nigerian authorities’ only official response to the killing of top Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani, by a US drone strike near Baghdad airport, came from the police.
On 5 January the Nigeria Police Force issued a statement on its communication channels, including its Twitter account, saying that Mohammed Adamu, the inspector-general of police, had put police commands and formations nationwide on red alert.
“This proactive measure follows Intelligence Report that sequel to the recent killing of an Iranian General; some domestic interests are planning to embark on massive public disturbances and sabotage,” the statement reads.
“Consequently, Zonal AIGs and Command Commissioners of Police have been directed to ensure maximum surveillance and security of lives and property across the nation.
“The Police Commanders have been directed to ensure strategic deployments of both overt and covert Police operatives to ensure adequate security and safety of citizens, foreigners especially diplomats and diplomatic missions domiciled in Nigeria as well as the protection of critical national assets.”
Nigeria’s federal government retweeted the statement on its official Twitter account.
After Soleimani was killed, there were reports of protests in Nigeria.
Stories published on 6 January showed photos and videos of people identified as members of the Iran-backed Islamic Movement of Nigeria, chanting and burning the US flag.
The 5 January 2020 story says Nigerian troops are ready to fight American soldiers if the US government doesn’t give the apology.
“The minister of information and culture in Nigeria warned that America has no right to meddle in the politics of Iran and to the extent of killing their man,” it reads.
“Nigeria will not take it likely with the USA and Israel if America fails to apologise. I have ordered our military and air force to be ready to combat the America soldiers. American living in Nigeria will feel it.
“We are going to launch our missile the USA if after 72 hours they fail to apologise to the Iranian government! He maintained!”
US embassy warning to citizens
The article was published two days after the US warned its citizens in Nigeria to stay safe. On 3 January, the US embassy in Nigeria advised Americans in the country to “review their personal security measures” – without giving details of specific threats.
But there’s no evidence that Nigeria’s government has waded into the conflict between the US and Iran, or demanded that the US apologise.
Nigerian police prepare for public disturbances
And there’s no sign of the ultimatum on the Nigerian information ministry’s social media accounts.
Nigerian authorities’ only official response to the killing of top Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani, by a US drone strike near Baghdad airport, came from the police.
On 5 January the Nigeria Police Force issued a statement on its communication channels, including its Twitter account, saying that Mohammed Adamu, the inspector-general of police, had put police commands and formations nationwide on red alert.
“This proactive measure follows Intelligence Report that sequel to the recent killing of an Iranian General; some domestic interests are planning to embark on massive public disturbances and sabotage,” the statement reads.
“Consequently, Zonal AIGs and Command Commissioners of Police have been directed to ensure maximum surveillance and security of lives and property across the nation.
“The Police Commanders have been directed to ensure strategic deployments of both overt and covert Police operatives to ensure adequate security and safety of citizens, foreigners especially diplomats and diplomatic missions domiciled in Nigeria as well as the protection of critical national assets.”
Nigeria’s federal government retweeted the statement on its official Twitter account.
Reports of protests
After Soleimani was killed, there were reports of protests in Nigeria.
Stories published on 6 January showed photos and videos of people identified as members of the Iran-backed Islamic Movement of Nigeria, chanting and burning the US flag.
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