From 13 to 20 August, UNOAU supported the African Union Commission (AUC) Formed Police Assessment Team (FPAT) in Abuja, Nigeria, to assess the Nigerian Formed Police Unit (FPU)-12 as well as Individual Police Officers (IPOs) which are expected to deploy on rotation to ATMIS. The objective of the assessment was to confirm the state of readiness of the unit for deployment to the mission. The Assessment Team was drawn from the AUC, ATMIS, Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF), North African Regional Capability (NARC) and UNOAU. UNOAU provided technical support and advice to the process. The assessment of the FPU focused on medical screening, verification of basic eligibility criteria and unit composition, command elements, individual capabilities, unit capabilities and scenario-based exercises to determine coordination and cohesion of the FPU.

A total of 281 police officers were presented for assessment out of which 47 were women and 234 were men. A total of 274(97.51%) police officers were found to be properly trained and prepared to take up FPU duties in ATMIS. Consequently, the FPAT certified the Nigeria FPU-12 to be operationally ready for deployment to ATMIS. The assessment of the Nigerian IPOs covered, inter alia, proficiency in English language, driving competency, weapons handling, shooting, IT and negotiation skills. The team assessed 239 candidates (25 women and 214 men) of which 87 IPOs (22 women and 65 men) were found qualified to serve with ATMIS. The officers will undergo medical examination upon nomination for deployment.