The Nigerian Police Commander of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Abraham Laban, has renewed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting peace and security efforts in Somalia.
Laban, who commands the 159-member Nigerian Formed Police Unit (NFPU-13) deployed to the Al-Jazeera II Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Mogadishu, said the Nigerian contingent remains committed to working with other African and international partners to promote stability in the country.
The Al-Jazeera II base was established to accommodate AUSSOM personnel following their relocation from the Mogadishu International Stadium to enable the rehabilitation of the facility and its eventual return to the Somali public.
The base has since become an important security hub in Mogadishu, with Nigerian police personnel working alongside Ugandan troops to maintain stability within their area of responsibility.
Laban’s responsibilities under the AUSSOM police mandate include managing public order, conducting joint patrols with the Somali Police Force (SPF) and providing escorts for AUSSOM and United Nations personnel.
“The hallmark of this mission is teamwork,” he said. “We work within a multi-dimensional environment alongside military and civilian components. Our goal is a common one: the stability of Somalia.”
Laban holds a master’s degree in peace studies and conflict resolution from Taraba State University, Nigeria, a background he has applied to his responsibilities in a high-threat operational environment.
He said effective command goes beyond tactical preparedness, stressing the importance of the physical and mental wellbeing of officers serving in difficult conditions.
“I check regularly on the personnel who are down as a result of stress,” he explained. “We manage that through sporting activities and constant debriefs to ensure our professionalism never wavers.”
His daily responsibilities begin with operational briefings, feedback sessions and inspections of facilities, while particular attention is given to the morale and welfare of personnel.
Under his leadership, NFPU-13 has also taken on additional responsibilities following a shortage of AUSSOM Individual Police Officers. The Nigerian unit has consequently supported the training and professional development of personnel of the Somali Police Force.
Laban said he has personally participated in patrols across parts of Mogadishu, including areas that have traditionally been difficult for security personnel to access.
“I have personally led patrol teams into the heart of Mogadishu—navigating nooks and crannies that have been difficult for many to access,” he said.
One of the major achievements recorded under his command has been the maintenance of security around the Al-Jazeera II base despite the volatile security environment in the surrounding areas.
According to Laban, the area has experienced a sustained period of calm, with the absence of mortar attacks previously associated with the location.
“This is a record we have set through vigilance and God’s grace, and we intend to maintain it,” he said.
Laban said his decision to serve in Somalia was also influenced by the ideals of African unity promoted by Pan-African leaders such as Kwame Nkrumah and Julius Nyerere.
He described Nigeria’s participation in the Somali peace process as part of the country’s broader continental responsibility, arguing that peace and security across Africa are interconnected.
“As Nigerians, we know we will never have true peace in our own country if Somalia does not have peace,” Laban said.
