IGP orders arrest of actors for use of uniform

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Inspector General of Police Usman Baba has exposed the unauthorized sale and use of police uniforms by actors and skit makers.

The IGP also ordered the arrest and prosecution of actors and skit makers for unauthorized and unlawful possession of police uniforms.

This was in a statement signed Sunday by the Force's public relations officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

The statement read in part: "The Nigerian Police expressed concern over the continued and unauthorized possession and use of police uniforms and equipment by some individuals, film and sketch makers, as well as by the illegal sale of police materials and equipment by traders in stores, open stores not approved or recognized by the police authorities.

"The IGP also frowned upon the degrading manner in which filmmakers and sketch makers portray the police institution in their films and sketches, using police uniforms without resorting to the provision of Section 251 of the Penal Code, and Article 133 of the Penal Code which criminalizes such unauthorized use with the necessary penalties accompanying it.

“The IGP has therefore instructed all Commands and Formations, the IGP Oversight Unit, Provost Marshals and X-Squad to arrest and prosecute immediately, in accordance with law, all persons or groups of persons who engage in the illegal sale of police uniforms and equipment in their jurisdictions, while film or sketch makers who portray Nigerian police officers in a bad light without properly requesting and receiving a letter permission for such representations, must abstain with immediate effect or face the full wrath of the law."