In response to the prevailing security challenges gripping the nation, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence, has drawn attention to the prohibition of unauthorised use of military camouflage attire.
The Minister stated that, as stipulated by law, only the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police Force, during joint operations with the military, are permitted to put on the military camouflage.
The development comes amidst reports of criminals masquerading as military or paramilitary personnel to wreak havoc in society.
“In the current circumstances, the unauthorised use of military camouflage by individuals who are not personnel of Defence Headquarters is unjustifiable,” he declared.
He stressed the urgent need to clarify and restrict who is allowed to wear military camouflage, emphasising the problem of criminals using gear intended for military, police, and other security forces.
The government’s ban on other paramilitary agencies from employing military camouflage serves to restore order to the system and curb criminal activities, according to Dr. Matawalle.
He further reinforced the commitment of the Nigeria Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police to enforce the directive issued by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. The Minister affirmed that a circular titled “Observation on Proliferation in the Use of Camouflage Uniforms by Other Security Agencies in Nigeria,” personally signed by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, mandates personnel of various agencies including the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Federal Fire Service to immediately cease the use of camouflage uniforms.
Consequently, Dr. Matawalle reiterated that the use of camouflage uniforms by security agencies other than the Armed Forces – namely the Army, Navy, and Air Force – remains prohibited. An exception is made for the Nigerian Police Force, which may only use camouflage during joint operations with the military.
The Minister stressed the imperative nature of enforcing the ban, citing security implications and concerns regarding the proliferation of camouflage uniforms in the country. He emphasised the importance of discerning authorised personnel from criminals, stating, “Identifying those authorised to use camouflage enables us to distinguish them from criminals seeking to deceive us.”