12th June, 2015
PHOTO: Reuters
The Defence Headquarters on Friday banned all security agencies other than the Armed Forces from using the military fatigue uniforms henceforth.
This was contained in a statement signed by Maj-.Gen. Chris Olukolade, Director of Defence Information, and made available to newsmen in Abuja.
Olukolade said the Nigeria Police Force, however, reserved the right to use the uniform only when in joint operation with the military or on special operation such as anti-riot missions.
He said the ban of the camouflage followed the directive of the National Security Council (NSC) as it approved the recommendations of a committee on measures to streamline the use of camouflage uniforms.
“In view of the security implications and concerns raised on duplicity and proliferation of camouflage uniforms in the country, the NSC approves its prohibition among paramilitary agencies.
“The use of camouflage/fatigue dress is therefore restricted to the military and for occasional use by the police, henceforth.
“The directive also stipulates that the military is to adopt only 2 types of camouflage for the 3 arms of the Armed Forces,” he said.
Olukolade further said all Para-military agencies using various camouflage/fatigues uniforms have up to January 2016 to withdraw such materials currently in their inventory.
According to him, with this development, the Ministry of Justice along with law enforcement agencies had been tasked to ensure that extant laws guiding the use of uniforms in the country were strictly enforced.
“In the same vein, the Office of the National Security Adviser has been vested with the authority to vet and clear any production and supply of camouflage uniforms in Nigeria.
“The proliferation and imitation by criminals and impostors using uniforms especially the camouflage have been generating some concern in national security circles,” the statement said.
The statement said the development had been communicated to all the agencies by the Office of the National Security Adviser for compliance.