Just In: Analysts Express Outrage As Police Deploy 144 Personnel To Tackle Insecurity In Somalia

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Security analysts yesterday expressed outrage over the news of the deployment of 144 personnel of the Nigeria Police in Somalia under an African Union (AU) peace keeping mission, despite the rising security challenges facing the country, exacerbated by a shortage of hands to combat insecurity.

The Africa Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) had announced the arrival of a contingent of 144 policemen and women from Nigeria to boost the country’s security.

The analysts were more angered by the fact that the news came from abroad, the police having kept quiet about the deployment.

The officers, including women, departed Nigeria at the weekend, with Samuel Ita as the commander.

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However, the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, a commissioner of police, told JournalReporters that the deployment of the 144 police personnel in Somalia for peacekeeping mission is a fulfillment of an international obligation and a global best practice.

But the security analysts queried the essence of the deployment of the police personnel in Somalia when the police high command should be mobilising more hands to protect lives and property in the wake of the incessant attacks on police formations, especially in the South-east, and the rising wave of abductions by bandits.

In yet another incident yesterday, gunmen attacked a police station in Enugu, killing two personnel.

Also, bandits late on Tuesday invaded Greenfield University, a private institution in Kaduna, killing a member of staff and abducting some students.

Giving details about the deployment of the 144 police personnel from Nigeria in Somalia, AMISOM Police Operations Coordinator, Mr. Daniel Gwambal, said 30 of the police officers would serve under the AMISOM for one year.

While the 30 will be deployed in Beletweyne in HirShabelle State, the rest will serve in various roles in the capital, Mogadishu.

Gwambal, in a statement issued yesterday in Mogadishu, said: “They are here in order to fulfil 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.”

He stated that the Nigerian police officers would also provide VIP escort and protection services, train and assist the Somali police in public order management.

According to him, they will also conduct joint patrols with their Somali counterparts and secure key government installations and high-level events.

The AU mission said the arrival of the Nigerian contingent was a major boost to law and order efforts, as they would be working in concert with their Somali counterparts in ensuring improved security in liberated areas.

Also speaking, Ita said his team members were eager to begin discharging their duties, to help advance the mission’s mandate.

Speaking on the deployment, Executive Director, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Mr. Okechukwu Nwangwuma, said it was out of place at a time the police had manpower issues.

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