Gists: African Union hails outgoing Nigerian Police contigent for job well done in Somalia

A contingent of 140 Nigerian Formed Police Unit Officers (FPU) serving on the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) was on Saturday, December 26, awarded certificates for their distinguished service after completing their one year tour of duty.

The police officers who have been serving on the mission since January, and rotate out next week, received their commendation on Saturday at a certification ceremony in Mogadishu, presided over by the AMISOM Officer in Charge Mission Maj. Gen. Fidza Dludlu.

Speaking on behalf of the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Francisco Caetano Jose Madeira, Maj. Gen. Fidza Dludlu praised the Nigerian police officers for their service in Somalia.

"I would like to thank you on behalf of the SRCC for your contribution to AMISOM, in particular to Somalia. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. You have played a significant role in contributing to the peace process in Somalia in terms of capacity building of the Somali Police Force. You have run your course and you have run extremely well," Maj. Gen. Fidza Dludlu said.

In addition, he noted that the officers, while in the course of their duties in Somalia had made friends and urged them to maintain the contacts.

The function was attended by the AMISOM Police Commissioner, Anand Pillay, his deputy, Christine Alalo, top AMISOM military personnel and senior Somali Police Force officers led by the Commissioner Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Hamud.

Commissioner Anand Pillay was full of praise of the Nigerian team, saying they had exhibited a high level of professionalism and lived to expectation.

"You have done well in the performance of your duties. You have conducted yourselves in a manner that is expected from the African Union and the Somali people, the Somali Police and ourselves," Anand Pillay, the AMISOM Police Commissioner told the visibly overjoyed officers who occasionally sang African songs".

The Somali Police Force Commissioner, Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Hamud, said he was impressed with performance and commitment of the Nigerian contingent to rebuild the Somali Police Force, saying the team had delivered in extremely difficult situations. He promised them a farewell party before their departure.

"Today is our turn to say thank you very much for what you have done, first to your country Nigeria and to the Somali people and the community while serving as police in a difficult situation where we have logistical and operational difficulties. It is not an easy job to do,"  Somali Police Force Commissioner Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Hamud said.

The FPU of AMISOM police component is tasked with, among other requirements, conducting cordon and search operations, provision of escort and guard duties, conducting day and night patrols with their Somali counterparts and public order management. Nigeria is one of the five Police Contributing Countries (PCCs) to AMISOM. Others are Uganda, Kenya, Sierra Leone and Ghana.