Officers On Patrol Must Wear Approved Uniforms, Not T-Shirts, IGP Orders

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, has mandated all officers to put on approved uniforms while on patrol, frowning at those who wear t-shirts and face caps. 

This was contained in a statement posted on the agency’s official handle on Friday evening.

“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,” the statement read.

“Premised on this, the IGP has ordered an immediate ban on such unapproved apparel.”

According to him, the development is unacceptable as he lamented that uniforms, which is a means of identification, have been abused by officers who engage in improper dressing.

The development, he said, has created fear in the minds of Nigerians.

“The IGP, therefore, ordered that henceforth, all police officers detailed for patrol, stop and search, checkpoint, and other routine operational duties must be in approved uniforms for easy identification,” the police added.

He mandated police disciplinary units to enforce the new directive.

“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 noted.