Nigerian formed police units to deploy to Darfur at end of month
December 18, 2008 (EL FASHER) – Two Nigerian formed police units will arrive to Darfur earlier than expected at the end of this month, bringing the number of these specialized peacekeeping forces to 698 and five out of 19 FPU units deployed.
The two Nigerian formed police units (FPUs) of 140 personnel each will bring to five the number of FPUs deployed, after the Bangladeshi, Indonesian and Nepalese units. Nineteen FPUs are slated for deployment as part of the missions’ authorized strength of 26,000 military personnel and 3,772 police officers, about half of which is deployed.
Mezni said that the deployment was part of “a bid to boost security and better protection for the war turn region of Darfur.”
The Nigerians will assist national authorities and UN agencies in delivering humanitarian assistance in time of need, said the spokesperson. They will also conduct escort patrols with internally displaced persons (IDPs).
FPUs are rapid reaction mobile, self-sustained armed police officers specialized in high risk operations to protect people in immediate danger. Their primary focus is to support unarmed police advisors in the effective implementation of their mandated tasks.
The units will be deployed to Zalingei and El-Geinene in Sector West, bringing the total strength of police deployed to 60%.
The UN Secretary General said in a report released Thursday, “Almost one year after the transfer of authority from AMIS to UNAMID, the AU-United Nations Operation continues to face enormous challenges. Violence and displacement continue, humanitarian operations are at risk, clashes between the parties occur with regrettable regularity and the parties have not yet reached a negotiated peace agreement”.
(ST)