136 police officers from Nigeria were awarded medals to mark the end of their one year duty tour in Somalia.
The 136 police officers were deployed to Somalia for a year. The contingent is the fifth formed police unit from Nigeria to serve in Somalia under African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
Somalia honours 136 Nigerian Police officers
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According to News Agency of Nigeria, a statement released by AMISOM on Wednesday, December 4, in Abuja indicated that the 136 police officers participated in a medal parade on Tuesday, December 3, to mark the end of their one year duty term in Somalia.
“The officers were awarded medals at a ceremony presided over by the Deputy Special Police Commissioner of the African Union Mission in Somalia.
“Somali Police Commissioner Gen Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Hamud was also present, with a delegation of Somali officials.”
The chairperson of the African Union Commission (DSRCC) in Somalia, Lydia Wanyoto, appreciated the Nigerian government for supporting the peace process in Somalia.
She also expressed gratitude to the Somali Security Forces present at the ceremony for recognising the Nigerian contribution.
She said: “We are here because of Somalia, saying it yourself on behalf of the Somali government, make our work easy, it gives us morale and makes us to work even harder.
“I want to thank you for the services you have provided, thank you for being here in Somalia, for volunteering to assist the people in Somalia.”
The Somali police commissioner, Mr Hamud, also commended the Nigerian police contingent for their contribution to the restoration of law and order in his country.
Mr Hamud said: “You have been good ambassadors. Somalia will not forget Nigeria standing side-by-side with Somali people and the federal government.”
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Meanwhile, 800 Nigerian soldiers have been deployed to Darfur for peacekeeping. The army chief, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai said Nigeria would continue to deploy quality peacekeepers as part of its contribution to global peace and security.
Buratai tasked the personnel to discharge their duties in consonance with the UNAMID mandate at all times.
Watch a video of some Nigerian police officers arriving Somalia below:
