Mr Ene Okon, Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 17 Akure, Ondo State, has cautioned operatives of some private security organisations in the zone to refrain from using police uniforms and equipment in their activities.
The AIG, who expressed concern over the alleged illegal use of police accoutrement by some private security organizations in Ondo and Ekiti States, said the police would not hesitate to deal with culprits in the future.
Ene delivered this warning in a statement made on Monday in Akure, the capital of Ondo State. The statement was titled “AIG warns against illegal use of police uniform and accoutrement”.
He said, “The Nigeria Police Force has observed with dismay the practice by some private security outfits, youth vanguards/vigilante groups and other security outfits who are in the habit of illegal use of police kits, paraphernalia and color as parts of their dressing.
“This is to bring to the notice of such individuals and organizations that such illegal act negates the provisions of section 214{1} of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended ) and section 101 of the Police Act 2020; they are hereby advised to stop such illegal practices forthwith.
To this end, the police boss directed the Ondo and Ekiti States Police Commands, which are under his jurisdiction, to clamp down on “defaulters who are presenting themselves as officers of the Nigeria Police Force.”