Mogadishu(ANN)-A total of 136 policemen from Nigeria have been awarded medals to mark the end of their duty tour in Somalia.
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) disclosed this in a statement released to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The statement said the policemen participated at a medal parade on Tuesday to mark the end of their one-year duty term in the country.
“The officers were awarded medals at a ceremony presided over by the Deputy Special Police Commissioner of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Somali Police Commissioner, Gen. Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Hamud was also present, with a delegation of Somali officials,” the statement said.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (DSRCC) in Somalia, Lydia Wanyoto, appreciated the Nigerian government for supporting the peace process.
She expressed gratitude to the Somali Security Forces for recognising Nigeria’s contribution.
“We are here because of Somalia. What you have done on behalf of the Somali government makes our work easy and also gives us the morale to work even harder. I want to thank you for the services you have provided, for volunteering to assist the people in Somalia,” she said.
On his part, Hamud commended the Nigeria police contingent for their contributions to the restoration of law and order in his country.
He said: “You have been good ambassadors and Somalia will not forget Nigeria standing side-by-side with its people and the Federal Government.”
The contingent, which would be replaced by another one, is the fifth unit to serve in Somalia under the AMISOM.