Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar yesterday said a Police Formed Unit consisting of 140 officers will be deployed to Mali for peace support operations under the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA).
The Unit was briefed about the dos and don'ts in the mission area by top police and military officers as well as diplomats in Abuja. The IG said the Unit was given the requisite training and Contingent Owned Equipment (COE) including Patrol Vehicles, Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), arms and ammunitions preparatory to deployment on Monday.
He urged the officers to be "good ambassadors" during their stay in Mali and "respect the rights of the citizens."
He said the officers were given three months allowance each while the Unit was provided with enough food that could last for six months.
The IG later handed over the Nigerian and police flags to the Unit. Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ola Sa'ad Ibrahim represented by the Director Peace Keeping Operations, Major General Hussain A. Salihu asked the officers to shun unlawful acts.
The Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the African Union and Ambassador to Ethiopia Bulus Lolo said more women police officers should be prepared for peace support operations, because there was the need for female officers in Mission areas.
The Director, Directorate of Peacekeeping Operations, Cornelius Kayode Aderanti said deployment to Mali begun in October 2012, adding that the Mission (AFISMA) will be taken over by the United Nations on July 1.
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