The Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, has ordered the arrest and immediate prosecution of movie producers, skit makers, and other individuals found using the police uniform without proper authorization.
Nollywood actor and movie producer, Odunlade in NPF uniform
In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumayowa Adejobi, Baba frowned at how movie producers and skit makers portray the Police institution in their movies and skits without recourse to the provision of Section 251 of the Criminal Code law, and Section 133 of the Penal Code Law which criminalize such unauthorized use.
Skit makers in police uniform
The police boss noted that all commands and formations, including the IGP Monitoring Unit, Provost marshals, and X-Squad, have been instructed to arrest and immediately prosecute all persons engaging in the illegal sales of police uniforms and accouterments within their jurisdictions.
“The IGP, therefore, charged all commands and formations, the IGP Monitoring Unit, Provost marshals, and X-Squad, to arrest and immediately prosecute, in accordance with the law, all persons or groups of persons engaging in the illegal sales of police uniforms and accouterments within their jurisdictions, while film or skit makers who portray the Nigeria Police Force officers in a bad light, without applying for, and being duly issued a permit letter for such portrayals, to desist with immediate effect or face the full wrath of the law,” a part of the statement reads.
Baba further disclosed that the Force Public Relations Officer has been charged with the task of ensuring prompt authorization for all applications for approvals of usage of police items in movies, in tandem with the extant laws.
He said that proper regulation will portray good values, provide police officers with modern innovations to actively carry out policing duties, and will equally make them on-screen role models who would influence their lives and career and consequently enhance security mechanisms in Nigeria.
