The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has instructed the Federal Ministry of Interior to immediately cease the issuance of camouflage uniforms to security and law enforcement agencies under its purview.
This directive, issued in a circular dated 16 January 2024 and signed by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, aims to curb the widespread use of camouflage attire among various security agencies in Nigeria.
Addressing the proliferation of camouflage uniforms among agencies such as the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the circular highlights the concerns regarding the accessibility of such attire to criminals and impostors.
The recent tragic incident in Plateau State, where assailants purportedly donned camouflage uniforms during attacks, underscores the urgency of enforcing the ban on these uniforms, except for special occasions like joint operations, as stipulated for the Armed Forces and the Police.
Amid mounting concerns over the misuse of camouflage uniforms, the ONSA stresses the importance of upholding the ban to mitigate security risks.
Despite previous directives from the Federal Government to restrict the use of camouflage attire exclusively to the Armed Forces and, on specific occasions, to the Police, certain agencies have continued to flout these regulations.
To ensure compliance with the ban, the Interior Minister has been urged to implement rigorous measures within agencies under his supervision.
It is imperative to enforce strict adherence to the ban on camouflage uniforms, thereby reinforcing the nation’s security framework and safeguarding against potential threats posed by unauthorised use of such attire.
