The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has expressed concern over unauthorised possession and use of Police uniforms and accessories by some individuals, movies and skit makers, as well as the illegal sale of Police materials and accoutrements by traders in shops and open stores not approved nor recognized by Police authority.
The Inspector general of police (IGP), Alkali Usman, has condemned the disparaging manner in which movie and skit makers portray the Police institution in their movie industry and sketches.
In a statement on Sunday, he warned that using the police uniform contravenes the provision of Section 251 of the Criminal Code law, and Section 133 of the Penal Code Law which criminalise such unauthorised use with accompanying consequences.
Consequently, the IGP has directed all commands and formations, including the IGP Monitoring Unit, Provost marshals and X-Squad, to arrest and immediately prosecute, in accordance with the law, all persons or group of persons engaging in the illegal sales of police uniforms and accessories within their jurisdictions.
Usman also warned film or skit makers who portray the Nigeria Police officers in bad light, without applying for, and being duly issued a permit letter for such portrayals, to desist with immediate effect or face the full wrath of the law.
According to the statement signed by CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, and made available to the National Association of Online Security Reporters (NAOSRE), the IGP further reiterated the commitment of the Force to guaranteeing compliance with law.
“The NPF Public Relations Officer has been charged with the task of ensuring prompt authorisation for all applications for approvals of usage of police items in movies, in tandem with the extant laws and which will portray good values…
“Impress positively on the Nigerian public, add value to our system, provide police officers with modern innovations to actively carry out policing duties and on-screen role models who would influence their lives and career; and consequently improve security mechanisms in Nigeria.” Usman said. .
“The Inspector-General of Police strongly believes that such sanity in movies production, regulation of sales, possession and usage of police uniforms and accoutrements will definitely impact positively on resuscitating moral values…
“This will also help in correcting wrong perceptions and ideologies towards commissioning of crimes in our society. It is obvious that this step will surely curb proliferation of Police kits, uniforms and accoutrements and eventually reduce police impostors-induced crimes in our society.” The statement read.
Comment here