The Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has banned the use of unapproved uniforms and other outfits by the police during any operations.
Specifically, the police boss insisted that all personnel on patrol must be in uniforms and must wear nametags.
He stated this in Abuja saying that any police officer on patrol and guard, stop and search, and other routine police operations who wear t-shirts and face cap with any special inscriptions while on duty must stop henceforth.
IGP said that the police uniform which, is a means of identification, has been abused by the officers who engage in improper dressing.
He assured well-meaning Nigerians that the current force leadership in the country is committed to the transformation of police force and sanitizing the system to a standard professional as required.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc, has expressed dismay at the flagrant violation of the approved Nigeria Police Force dress code by officers on patrol and guard, stop and search, and other routine police operations; who have formed the habit of wearing t-shirts and face caps with “Special Forces”, “Commando”, “Gallant MOPOL”, “SCORPION”, and other inscriptions while on duty. Premised on this, the IGP has ordered an immediate ban on such unapproved apparels.
“The IGP has described as unacceptable, the use of unapproved apparels noting that uniforms, which is a means of identification, has been abused by these officers who engage in improper dressing.
“He equally decries the fear this unwholesome practice creates in the minds of innocent Nigerians.
“The IGP 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 Inspector-General of Police has assured well-meaning members of the public that the Force leadership is committed to promoting strategic police reforms geared at sanitizing operational engagements, and bequeathing to the nation a professional policing system as required.”