Nigerian police contingent undergo induction course

Seventeen Nigerian police officers recently deployed to serve on the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) yesterday began an intensive seven-day induction course to orient them with the functions of the Mission.

The police officers recently arrived in Somalia to replace their colleagues who rotated out in July. The induction course was officially opened by AMISOM Deputy Police Commissioner, Christine Alalo, who urged the officers to work hard in their duties and maintain high level of discipline to enable the Mission achieve its mandate.

“Even if you are very hard working but lack discipline then you will be considered as having failed in your duties. We expect maximum discipline and maximum respect for human rights,” Ms Alalo told the officers.

Present at the function were the AMISOM Police Chief of Staff, Rex Dundun, and the AMISOM Police Coordinator for Training and Development, Francis Aryee. Ms Alalo noted that the arrival of the new contingent is timely, given the fact that Somalia’s approved policing model is similar to that of Nigeria.

“They (Nigerian police officers) have come at the right time when the Government of Somalia has agreed to have the federal and state police system. Their presence is very important because they will be able to help the Somali Government operationalize the federal and state police system,” Ms Alalo observed.

Nigeria is one of the Police Contributing Countries to AMISOM. The country first deployed police officers in Somalia in 2010. Individual Police Officers help mentor the Somali Police Force (SPF) by collocating at various police stations. The move is part of the mandate of AMISOM to build capacity of the Somali Police Force (SPF).

AMISOM