The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, has banned all police officers from using unapproved uniforms while conducting certain security operations in the country.

The acting Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, made this known in a statement made available to The Star on Friday.

Adejobi stated that the IGP expressed dismay at the violation of the approved Nigeria Police Force dress code by officers, who have formed the habit of wearing t-shirts and face caps with ‘Special Forces’, ‘Commando’, ‘Gallant MOPOL’, ‘SCORPION’, and other inscriptions while on patrol and guard, stop and search, and other routine police operations.

He noted that Baba has described as unacceptable, the use of unapproved apparels noting that uniforms, which is a means of identification, has been abused by the officers who engage in improper dressing.

The police spokesman added: “He equally decries the fear this unwholesome practice creates in the minds of innocent Nigerians.

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“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,” the statement read.

The Star