Nigeria’s Police Force is braving a new front in the Somalia capital of Mogadishu. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, 140 officers of the NPF have been sent into the war-torn country to join in the ongoing African union peacekeeping operations in Somalia.

In a statement from the Peace and Security Department of the AU Commission on Wednesday, they said the Formed Police Unit from Nigeria will join another unit from Uganda already deployed in Mogadishu.

Mr Boubacar Diarra, the Special Representative of the AU Chairperson for Somalia , says sending in a second unit shows the commitment of the African Union to support peace in the horn of Africa nation.

Diarra thanked the Nigerian people for taking an active role in the peacekeeping operations in Somalia.

“Nigeria already has some Police Officers in Somalia and the deployment of this unit, clearly demonstrated its strong commitment to peace and stability not only in Somalia but also in the other part of the continent,” Diarra said.

The statement said that the two units provided by Uganda and Nigeria, would not only be involved in providing security in liberated areas and at camps for Internally Displaced Persons, they will also train members of the Somalia Police Force who at some point take over the policing of their country.