Inspector general of police Usman Baba has ordered the immediate and indefinite suspension of the police community relations committee (PCRC) chairperson for the Edo State Police Command, Helen Odemwingie.
The suspension comes on the heels of a trending picture of the PCRC chairperson and other members at a function held at the Edo State Police Command wherein the PCRC members were seen wearing black uniforms similar to that of the Nigeria Police Force, with accompanying insignias and various inscriptions.
Acting Force PRO Olumuyiwa Adejobi noted in a statement on Wednesday that the act contravenes the provisions of section 214{1} of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and section 101 of the Police Act, 2020.
The Police Force also decried the illegal use of police uniforms, kits and accoutrements by non-police individuals and groups.
“In line with the extant law, the IGP hereby warns that henceforth, any individual who adorns themselves illegally in police uniforms, would be made to face the full wrath of the law,” the statement said.
“Similarly, the IGP has ordered the police disciplinary units particularly the Force Provost Marshal, the IGP X-Squad and Monitoring Unit to clampdown on persons who engage in the illegal sales of police uniforms, kits and accoutrements, outside of police approved stores and the office of the Quartermaster.”
The statement noted that the IGP had directed the acting Force PRO to meet and collaborate with members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria to improve partnership to ensure proper use of police uniforms, kits and accoutrements in movies.
