Inspector-General
of Police Mohammed Abubakar has allegedly ordered the arrest of policemen
caught wearing their new camouflage all over the country.
of Police Mohammed Abubakar has allegedly ordered the arrest of policemen
caught wearing their new camouflage all over the country.
The directive is said to be in response to a petition written
against Abubakar to the Presidency concerning the sale of the camouflage.
against Abubakar to the Presidency concerning the sale of the camouflage.
Police source said on the condition of anonymity that violators
were being arrested by the IG’s monitoring team and taken to Abuja.
were being arrested by the IG’s monitoring team and taken to Abuja.
The source said, “This incident began sometime last month when
some concerned policemen wrote a petition to the Presidency concerning the sale
of these camouflage uniforms. The camouflage, which is available at all police
stores nationwide, were being sold at either N10,000 or N15,000 and then sewn
for N5,000.
some concerned policemen wrote a petition to the Presidency concerning the sale
of these camouflage uniforms. The camouflage, which is available at all police
stores nationwide, were being sold at either N10,000 or N15,000 and then sewn
for N5,000.
“Normally when there is a new uniform, a set ought to be issued
to every policeman free of charge. As a matter of fact, the Federal Government,
last year, approved new camouflage uniforms not just for the police but also
for the navy and army. While the military has gone ahead to issue these
uniforms to their men, the NPF has yet to do same.”
to every policeman free of charge. As a matter of fact, the Federal Government,
last year, approved new camouflage uniforms not just for the police but also
for the navy and army. While the military has gone ahead to issue these
uniforms to their men, the NPF has yet to do same.”
The PUNCH had on
March 14, 2012 reported the introduction of a new uniform for the police force
as part of the FG’s reformation and image laundering agenda for the force.
March 14, 2012 reported the introduction of a new uniform for the police force
as part of the FG’s reformation and image laundering agenda for the force.
Abubakar reportedly described the new police camouflage as a
testrun for the force as one of its operational outfits.
testrun for the force as one of its operational outfits.
“The new police camouflage is cost effective; operationally
durable; highly customised with security features to forestall impersonation
and environmentally-friendly,” Abubakar had said then.
durable; highly customised with security features to forestall impersonation
and environmentally-friendly,” Abubakar had said then.
It was gathered that currently, the camouflage were only being
worn by a select few.
worn by a select few.
Another source said the camouflage was initially meant for
police officers from the rank of commissioners.
police officers from the rank of commissioners.
He said, “Later, the camouflage came down to the assistant
police commissioners, deputy police commissioners and some state police public
relations officers.
police commissioners, deputy police commissioners and some state police public
relations officers.
“Eventually, some junior police officers started buying the
uniforms and it is not as if this is a new trend. Policemen always buy and sew
their uniforms including all other accoutrements. The development caused
some disaffection between the junior officers who had access to the uniforms
and some senior officers who were yet to get them.”
uniforms and it is not as if this is a new trend. Policemen always buy and sew
their uniforms including all other accoutrements. The development caused
some disaffection between the junior officers who had access to the uniforms
and some senior officers who were yet to get them.”
Deputy Force Police Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, a chief
superintendent of police, dismissed the allegation.
superintendent of police, dismissed the allegation.
He said, “There is no iota of truth in that assumption or
rumour. This uniform has come to stay and is an integral part of the force.
Therefore, the IG cannot sanction the arrest of policemen who wear this
uniform.
rumour. This uniform has come to stay and is an integral part of the force.
Therefore, the IG cannot sanction the arrest of policemen who wear this
uniform.
“That would mean all CPs and every other person including the IG
himself who wear the uniform would be arrested. If indeed the uniforms are
being sold, what the IG monitoring team has been doing is going about as decoy
to get anyone who would sell the camouflage uniforms to them. If such happens,
then we would act appropriately.
himself who wear the uniform would be arrested. If indeed the uniforms are
being sold, what the IG monitoring team has been doing is going about as decoy
to get anyone who would sell the camouflage uniforms to them. If such happens,
then we would act appropriately.
“There is no way the IG can order the arrest of policemen for
doing the right thing.”
doing the right thing.”
Source: Punch
