AU deploys 160 new police officers to beef up security in Somalia

The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) said on Thursday it has deployed some 160 police officers from Nigeria to support stabilization efforts in the country.

Mohammed Ibrahim, who commands the eleventh Nigerian Formed Police Unit (NFPU) contingent, said the officers will provide support to the Somali Police Force in line with the Somalia Transition Plan.

ATMIS said the incoming contingent that arrived in Mogadishu on Wednesday, replaces another, known as NFPU 10, which recently returned to Nigeria after completing a tour of duty that included helping provide security during the recent parliamentary and presidential elections.

The ATMIS Police component will have 1,040 personnel, including five Formed Police Units (FPUs), and will maintain that number until December 2024, according to the United Nations Security Council Resolution.

The police officers are expected to support specialized training, advising, and mentorship of the Somali police force including in joint patrols and protection of vital installations.

The officers will also support the service delivery capacity of the Somali police in the provision of policing services across Somalia and help counter violent extremism and social disorder through community policing, public order management, and other crime prevention strategies.

This is Nigeria’s eleventh police unit to be deployed to Somalia since 2012.