Captain Issa Mairigia, 1964 - 2010
UN Police (Niger)
Captain Mairigia Issa, a national of Niger, was serving with UN Police for the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) since June 2009 training Haitian police for peacekeeping activities.
Following completion of military college, Mairigia began his 20-year police career at the age of 24 when he joined the Gendarmerie Nationale of Niger in the capital, Niamey. From there, he went on to positions all over Niger in Agadez, Matameye, Diffa, Tera, Zinder, Maradi, Mirriah and Arlit.
In addition to being a speaker of Hausa, Zarma and French, Mairigia’s varied experience was in demand in both large cities and smaller settlements.
In 2005, his country honoured him with the Chevalier de l’Ordre Nationale du Mérite.
Having proven himself at home, he joined MINUSTAH in June 2009, which was his first assignment outside of Niger. With the Mission, he served in the Haitian National Police Development Pillar as an officer at the Police Academy responsible for training Haitian police in peacekeeping activities.
Colleagues remembered the high value he placed on justice, and the professionalism he showed in duty. “I knew him personally and can say that he was a highly accomplished individual,” said a colleague.
His assignment overseas proved to be a success as he was promoted to Captain in October 2009.
President of Niger Mamadou Tandja called the earthquake and the loss of Issa and a fellow police officer from Niger a “terrible disaster with terrible consequences,” and expressed his country’s solidarity with all the Haitian people.
Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Aïchatou Mindaoudou said she presented her deepest condolences to the families of the two policemen from Niger, including Mairigia, who died during the earthquake.
Mairigia is survived by his wife Mariama Sadou and his two children.