Mogadishu(SONNA):Eleven police officers of the African Union Mission in
Somalia (AMISOM) have completed a two-week Trainer-of-Trainers course on
vehicle checkpoint management.
The officers from Kenya, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Ghana, were awarded
certificates on their final training day at the AMISOM Police Headquarters in
Mogadishu on Friday June 12, and urged by their trainers to use the knowledge
gained in executing their mandate to build the capacity of the Somali Police Force.
Aimed at equipping the officers with the requisite skills and practices in handling
vehicle checkpoint operations, the course covered topics like Explosive Ordnance
Disposal Awareness, Explosive Hazard Awareness, components of Improvised
Explosive Devices (IEDs), Induction Action Drills, Persons and Baggage Search,
Vehicle Search, and Practical Methods of Instruction.
The training was facilitated by personnel from the Safe Lane team of the United
Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS).
“There is a huge task in front of you because it is not just about you having received
knowledge that you are going to use in the future. Being instructors, you are going to
teach a new generation of Somali police officers who are about to be hired,” said
UNMAS Deputy Project Manager, Borys Pokalyuk.
While officiating at the closing ceremony on Friday, the AMISOM Police
Commissioner, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP), Augustine Magnus
Kailie, said that the training on vehicle checkpoint was very critical because IEDs
remain the weapon of choice for the Al-Shabaab terrorists, with vehicles being a
higher risk since they are used for transportation of components, or as Vehicle-Borne
Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs).
“A lot of people have lost their precious lives because of IEDs. It is a weapon of
choice for Al-Shabaab. Gaining knowledge on IEDs is a very big plus on our part,”
said AIGP Kailie.
Kailie said the training is going to be important for the protection of the Somali
population, especially in the upcoming national elections as terrorists will try to use
every method possible to disrupt the electoral process.
Following the training, the graduating officers said the training had been crucial and
beneficial.
“This course gave a lot of knowledge and skills. It will also help us in capacity
building. Later when I go back home, I will impart the same knowledge to my fellow
officers on how to detect IEDs,” said Police Constable Halima Molu from the Kenyan
Police contingent.
Inspector of Police (IP), Anthony Barlay from the Sierra Leone contingent, said the
training would help him in the detection of planned attacks.
“One of the most important things I have learnt during this training was how to
identify the components of Improvised Explosive Devices, which, if I am conducting
an operation and I come across, I will be able to intercept and stop whatever plan of
the carrier. I believe this will create a conducive security environment for the Somali
community,” said IP Barlay.
Source: AMISOM
