Police Officers From Nigeria Deployed To Somalia To Boost Security

The African Union Misssion, (AMISION) has announced that a contingent of 144 police officers drawn from Nigeria have arrived in Somalia to boost stabilization efforts in the country.

Upon arrival, the Police officers deployed will be segmented into two groups, 30 police officers will be deployed to Beletweyne in HirShabelle State, while the rest will serve in various roles in the capital, Daniel Ali Gwambal, AMISOM Police operations coordinator said in a statement in Mogadishu.

The officers are to serve under the AMISOM for a period of one year.

He said, “They are here in order to fulfill the mandate of AMISOM with regards to operational support to the Somalis and at the same time to mentor the Somali Police Force (SPF), there are certain specific duties that are also incumbent on them to perform while they are here such as regular patrols at checkpoints, guard static duties and other duties that involve general policing”.

Samuel Ita, who is the commander of the newly deployed unit said his men were anxious to begin discharging their duties, to help advance the mission’s mandate.

The mandate of the mission includes: securing key government installations and high-level events, providing VIP escort and protection services, training and assisting the SPF in public order management, conducting joint patrols with their Somali counterparts.

The Afican Union Mission said the arrival of the new contingent is a major boost to law and order efforts, as they will be working in concert with their Somali counterparts in ensuring improved security in liberated areas.