By Deborah Coker
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, has reiterated the ban on unauthorised use of camouflage uniforms in the country.
Matawalle said the present security situation warranted that only the Armed Forces and the Police should use camouflage uniforms while on joint operations.
In a statement on Monday in Abuja by Mr Henshaw Ogubike, Director, Information, Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Matawalle warned agencies affected to abide with the directive.
According to the minister, the present situation does not support unregulated use of military camouflage by people and agencies not authorised to do so.
“This is because criminals among us have taken advantage of the military, police and other security agencies’ gears to perpetrate crimes,” he added.
Matawalle therefore said banning paramilitary agencies from using military camouflage was to bring sanity to the system and checkmate criminals.
The minister said that the armed forces and the police would enforce the ban which was earlier announced by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu.
Those affected by the ban on use of camouflage are the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Federal Fire Service, among others. (NAN)