Men of the Police Mobile Force(MOPOL) atop an Otokar Cobra APC
NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
10 June, 2012
The Nigeria police have deployed 140 personnel to Guinea Bissau for peacekeeping operations, a statement said. The statement, issued by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Frank Mba, yesterday stated that the personnel were from the “Formed Police Unit” (FPU).
It said that they were supported by modern crime fighting and peacekeeping equipment, including five Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), 12 patrol vehicles, arms and ammunition and crowd control equipment.
“The Nigeria police officers are expected to assist the government and people of Guinea Bissau in restoring peace and stability in the country. “The deployment is in fulfillment of Nigeria’s pledge and commitment to assist ECOWAS in restoring rule of law and general orderliness in Guinea Bissau and ECOWAS sub region,” it said
The statement said that the contingent was equipped to be self sustaining in terms of food rations and medical equipment. It also said that the contingent was accompanied by a team of medical personnel, comprising two doctors and six nurses.
The statement said that unlike what obtained in the past, all the deployed officers had been paid three months allowances in advance on the orders of the Inspector- General of Police (IG).“This gesture is to boost the morale and allow the Formed Police Unit (FPU) personnel to take care of the welfare of their dependants before departure”, the statement said.
It quoted the IG, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, as urging the contingent to exhibit commitment and dedication in the discharge of their duties.It said he also urged them as ambassadors of Nigeria to shun all vice and conduct themselves with the “highest degree of discipline and professionalism ”.
The statement said the contingent had since arrived in Guinea Bissau and were received by that country’s minister of internal security and the police chief.
The deployment to Guinea Bissau brings to nine the number of countries where Nigerian police officers are currently serving in international peacekeeping operations. The other countries are Liberia, Haiti, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, East Timor, Cote D’Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
I’m very happy with the arrangements here, medical team, included and a good number of APC’s hopefully they deployed with spares and maintenance crews as well. The fact they paid salaries 3 months in advance is a massive double thumbs up for me, well done to the IG
The sight is peculiar with Nigeria Police Force…scrambling atop APCs. Truly the sight offends me!
but its good for situational awareness and in a non combat environment (i.e. somewhere without artillery etc) it means its relatively easy to deploy or bring personal weapons systems to bear. If you speak to some WW2 veterans they sneer at APC’s etc and claimt he only way to go into battle is ontop of an armoured vehicle. Obviously from their point of view they didn’t really have a choice but my personal preference is either on top or as top cover
Camouflage i agree with you, a single sniper fire sends the officers and men in disarray.
Sitting on top in a foreign land could be kind of inciting to the local population.
actually, i think i will go with peccavi, because in a “non-combat situation”, officers don’t really need to fear anything, also, if u just stay holed up, in teh apc, u don’t really know ur surroundings, even SWAT teams in the U.S, leave the back doors of their apc’s open, as this not only helps in quick deployment, but also helps them know the area their operating in more.
Why atop….does the sight look civilised to u?
I believe that the reason they sit on the apc’s is because of movement and deployment concerns,movement inthe sence that if they were on foot and the apc was moving there would be 2 outcomes first either the apc would leave them behind and go on without infantry support or it would reduce speed thereby reducing respondse time,even in the usa military whenever there isnt enough vehicles for transport the infantry sits atop amored tanks and only move down when under attack and also from that altitude(on top the apc)identification of threats are easier cus field of vision is improved,before someone armed with an rpg can get close enough to cause damage he would have been taken out by someone ontop an apc.This is my opinion.
NON COMBAT ENVIRONMENT ??? ARE YOU GUYS KIDDING ME ?? I AM 99% SURE THAT ANY ONE THAT TAKES A NON COMBATANT POSTURE IN GUINEA BISSAU WOULD LIVE TO REGRET IT.
Secondly. If NA had the appropriate nyala, buffell ,pumas, and any of the numerous variants,they wouldn’t have to ride atop the otokars with it’s limited troop carrying capacity.
You don’t see any pictures of ugandan or kenyan troops riding on top of their apcs do you ? They are already mine resistant, so no point in seeking protection on the roof.
Guy, abeg try sitting in those things for 5-6 hours with 8-10 other guys with full kit, you’ll want to sit on the roof as well!!
Yeah, you right men, I guess the best theories, don’t always jive with facts on the ground.
Thank you for shedding light on such a subject even with A/C IF IT IS AVAILABLE Those APCs do not look comfy
DEJA VU:
UGANDA POLICE FOLLOW THE SCRIPT..DEPLOY 140 PEACEKEEPERS OF THE FORMED POLICE UNIT
http://beegeagle.wordpress.com/2012/06/19/uganda-nigeria-to-deploy-specialized-140-man-formed-police-unitfpus-contingents-in-volatile-somalia/