The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered an immediate ban on unapproved apparel worn by operatives of the Force during routine operations.
According to a statement issued earlier today by the Acting Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Police Chief had expressed dismay at what he described as the flagrant violation of the approved Nigeria Police Force (NPF) dress code by officers on various routine police operations.
TheFact Nigeria recalls that IGP Baba had, on 4 March, 2022, approved a new and improved dress code for women officers, a move which he attributed to the need to guarantee inclusion, gender mainstreaming, ethnic and religious diversity in the work place for optimum output and professionalism, is in line with international best practices, and addresses the growing concern for gender mainstreaming and respect for culture and diversity.
The IGP had noted that personnel of the Force had formed the habit of “wearing t-shirts and face caps with “Special Forces”, “Commando”, “Gallant MOPOL”, “SCORPION”, and other inscriptions while on duty”.
He described as unacceptable, the use of unapproved apparels, noting that uniforms, which are a means of identification, have been abused by the officers who engage in improper dressing.
The Police boss, equally weary of the fear this unwholesome practice creates in the minds of innocent Nigerians, therefore ordered that henceforth, all police officers detailed for patrol, stop and search, check point, and other routine operational duties must be in approved uniforms for easy identification.
“Consequently, the IGP has ordered that all Police disciplinary units particularly the Force Provost Marshal, the IGP X-Squad and Monitoring Unit to ensure the strict enforcement of the directive with severe sanctions for erring officers.
“The IGP has equally warned that all supervisory officers would be held vicariously liable in the event that personnel under their command violate this order”, the statement said.
The Inspector-General of Police again assured well-meaning members of the public, of the Force leadership’s committment to promoting strategic police reforms geared at sanitizing operational engagements, and bequeathing to the nation the required professional policing system.
