February 03, (THEWILL) – The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has directed the Federal Ministry of Interior to immediately withdraw all camouflage uniforms from security and law enforcement agencies under its supervision.
ONSA’s directive was in a circular dated January 16, 2024, and addressed to the Minister of Interior.
The circular titled: “Observation on Proliferation in the Use of Camouflage Uniforms by Other Security Agencies in Nigeria”, was signed by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
According to NSA, personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), together with the Federal Fire Service, among others, are to discontinue henceforth using the camouflage uniforms at the disposal, following the directive issued by ONSA.
The NSA observed that the persistent proliferation of camouflaged uniforms by these security and law enforcement agencies makes the outfit easily accessible to criminals and impostors, while also exacerbating the already challenging security situation in the country.
“Case in point was the recent unfortunate attack on communities in Plateau State, where the perpetrators were reportedly dressed in camouflage uniforms.
“This further underscores the need to ensure that the ban placed on camouflage uniforms by security agencies other than the Armed Forces and the Police on special occasions, such as joint operations, is strictly enforced”, he said.
Ribadu urged the interior minister to take necessary steps and place stringent measures to ensure that the ban on camouflage uniforms is upheld, enforced and strictly complied with by all security and enforcement establishments under his supervision
“In view of the foregoing and in the interest of national security, you are kindly requested to direct security and law enforcement agencies under your ministry to withdraw all camouflage uniforms from their personnel and discontinue the use of the outfit with immediate effect.
“You are also requested to take necessary steps and emplace stringent measures to ensure that the ban on the use of camouflage uniforms is upheld, enforced and strictly complied with by all security and enforcement establishments under your Ministry”, he instructed.
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