140 officers of the Nigerian Police Force have arrived in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia to participate in the ongoing Africa Union (AU) Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) peacekeeping operations.
A statement by the Peace and Security Department of the AU Commission on Wednesday said that the Formed Police Unit (FPU) from Nigeria would join other unit from Uganda who were already in Mogadishu.
The Special Representative of the AU Chairperson for Somalia, Boubacar Diarra in a statement said the arrival of the second AMISOM Formed Police Unit was a clear demonstration of the AU’s commitment to support Somalia in its endeavour to improve the security situation in the country especially in the liberated areas.
Mr Diarra thanked the AU Commission, the government and the people of Nigeria for honouring the pledge to provide additional police personnel to the mission.
He said that the deployment of the unit would provide the needed support to the people of Somalia as they strive to improve on the security situation in the country.
“Nigeria already has some Police Officers in Somalia and the deployment of this unit, clearly demonstrated its strong commitment to peace and stability not only in Somalia but also in the other part of the continent,’’ Mr Diarra said.
The statement said that the two units provided by Uganda and Nigeria, would ensure improved security in the liberated areas in the effort to boost Public Order Management, VIP escorts activities and providing protection to camps for Internally Displaced Persons
(IDP).
The units would also train some members of the Somalia Police Force who would eventually take over the policing of their country.
