The Islamic dress code has crept into the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, courtesy of the Inspector General, Usman Baba Alkali. Muslim women in the force can now wear hijab, and stud earrings while in inform. That’s quite interesting.
Those who have claimed that President Mohammadu Buhari is an Islamist now have evidence to prove it. With all the problems facing the Force, a religious dress code is what this government choose to priorities.
Thank God, this move is being challenged. Human Rights lawyer, Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN, has condemned the steps being taken to Islamise the Force.
The lawyer noted that the new dress code prescribed by the Police boss will bring confusion and chaos. He said: “The religion of public officers, including members of the security agencies, should be a private matter to them. The inspector-general of police is not competent to use the platform of his office to enforce religion.
“Section 10 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria stipulates that the government and all its agencies should be neutral in religious matters.
“Section 42 of the same constitution prohibits discrimination in all its ramifications. In this regard, there will be no end to confusion attending to the new dress code prescribed by the IGP.
“What will be the official uniform for policewomen who are in the Catholic church? How should policemen and women who are in the Celestial church dress up when the practice of their church is against wearing shoes at all?
“And how should traditionalists who are in the police force dress up, with charms and amulets round their uniforms?
“The Nigeria police has existed as an institution since 1945 and it is strange that of all the issues confronting that agency, such as low morale, poor welfare, poor infrastructure, poor training, poor welfare, etc, religious adornment should be the priority of the inspector-general of police.”
Discussion about this post