Gunmen hijack two vehicles of UNAMID police in North Darfur

April 10, 2008 (EL FASHER) – Unknown gunmen injured one police officer of the hybrid peacekeeping force; they also hijacked two vehicles during the attack near a displaced camp in North Darfur.

The attack occurred when the UNAMID police team returning form a routine patrol Wednesday afternoon only 2 kms north of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp of Zamzam south of the city of Al Fasher

Sudanese police recovered one of the vehicles while the other remains missing. The police Brigadier Mustafa Yussef Mustafa, Deputy Director of the state police said the stalled vehicle was found at 15kms in the road of El-Fasher-Kutom.

The four assailants ordered the UN-AU police officers to hand over two out of their three vehicles., they further robbed personal belongings and official identification cards. One officer was repeatedly hit in the neck by one of the assailants using the back of an AK 47.

The injured officer was later taken to UNAMID’s level II hospital for treatment. His condition is stable.

The UNAMID condemned attacks on UNAMID police officers who do not carry arms while performing their duties to serve peace in Darfur and protect civilians.

The protection of civilians is one of the main tasks in UNAMID’s mandate in Darfur.

The police of peacekeeping operation in Darfur carryout daily assignments designed to provide a safer environment for civilians, particularly the more vulnerable groups; IDPs and women.

There are approximately 1562 police officers serving with UNAMID out of the 6372 stipulated by UN Security Council Resolution 1769.

(ST)