Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, on Sunday, lambasted the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, over the introduction of new dress code for female police officers.
HURIWA, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the new dress code for female police officers negated the provisions of the 1999 Constitution that forbade the elevation of any religion as state religion.
The group argued that the use of hijab and studded earring would not in any way increase the efficiency of police officers nor protect them from flying AK-47 bullets fired by daring criminals and bandits in the country of late.
The PUNCH had earlier reported that the IGP on Friday unveiled the new dress code for female police officers, saying it is in line with international best practices.
However, HURIWA’s Onwubiko said that the new dress code is illegal, unconstitutional and sectarian, alleging that it was a move to fulfil the “Islamisation agenda” of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).
Onwubiko said, “Despite the many challenges including declining staff numbers, low morale, poor training and poor welfare confronting the Nigeria Police Force under IGP Usman Baba, it is unfortunate that he chose to prioritise religious adornment over weightier matters.
“HURIWA wonders how the new dress code is of any use to the shrinking 300,000 police officers in the country whose salaries are barely paid by the government and whose dilapidated barracks are unfit for pigs let alone human beings.
“Logically speaking, to what intent and purpose is the use of hijab for female police officers chasing criminals on the streets of Lagos or combating bandits on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway? Would the hijab deflect AK-47 bullets fired by bandits from hitting the officers? The IGP should get serious.
“The Nigeria Police has been in existence since 1945 and wearing of hijab for female police officers is illegal and unconstitutional as the religion of public officers, including members of the security agencies, should be a private matter to them.
“Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution stipulates that government and all its agencies should be neutral in religious matters while Section 42 of the same Constitution forbids discrimination in all its ramifications.
“The IGP, being a Muslim from Borno State where Boko Haram operates freely, should not use the post he currently occupies to enthrone Islam on the plurality of members of the Force comprising Muslims, Christians, Catholics, traditionalists, etc. The IGP should respect his oath of office and desist from fanatism and the hijab controversy that has sharply divided and inflamed states such as Osun, Kwara, amongst others. He should desist from such fanatism as demonstrated by the government-backed Hisbah Police in northern Nigeria.
“If the Muslim female officers are allowed to wear hijab, 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?
“Usman Baba should focus on combating crime, improve citizens’ engagement and help guarantee safety of lives and property. The religious preferences of policemen and women should be their private matters.”
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