AMISOM police officers complete checkpoint management course

Eleven police officers of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) have completed a two-week Trainer-of-Trainers course on vehicle checkpoint management. 

The officers from Kenya, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Ghana, were awarded certificates on their final training day at the AMISOM Police Headquarters in Mogadishu on Friday June 12, and urged by their trainers to use the knowledge gained in executing their mandate to build the capacity of the Somali Police Force. 

Aimed at equipping the officers with the requisite skills and practices in handling vehicle checkpoint operations, the course covered topics like Explosive Ordnance Disposal Awareness, Explosive Hazard Awareness, components of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), Induction Action Drills, Persons and Baggage Search, Vehicle Search, and Practical Methods of Instruction. 

The training was facilitated by personnel from the Safe Lane team of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS). 

“There is a huge task in front of you because it is not just about you having received knowledge that you are going to use in the future. Being instructors, you are going to teach a new generation of Somali police officers who are about to be hired,” said UNMAS Deputy Project Manager, Borys Pokalyuk.  

While officiating at the closing ceremony on Friday, the AMISOM Police Commissioner, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP), Augustine Magnus Kailie, said that the training on vehicle checkpoint was very critical because IEDs remain the weapon of choice for the Al-Shabaab terrorists, with vehicles being a higher risk since they are used for transportation of components, or as Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs).  

“A lot of people have lost their precious lives because of IEDs. It is a weapon of choice for Al-Shabaab. Gaining knowledge on IEDs is a very big plus on our part,” said AIGP Kailie.

Kailie said the training is going to be important for the protection of the Somali population, especially in the upcoming national elections as terrorists will try to use every method possible to disrupt the electoral process. 

Following the training, the graduating officers said the training had been crucial and beneficial. 

“This course gave a lot of knowledge and skills. It will also help us in capacity building. Later when I go back home, I will impart the same knowledge to my fellow officers on how to detect IEDs,” said Police Constable Halima Molu from the Kenyan Police contingent. 

Inspector of Police (IP), Anthony Barlay from the Sierra Leone contingent, said the training would help him in the detection of planned attacks. 

“One of the most important things I have learnt during this training was how to identify the components of Improvised Explosive Devices, which, if I am conducting an operation and I come across, I will be able to intercept and stop whatever plan of the carrier. I believe this will create a conducive security environment for the Somali community,” said IP Barlay.