The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, has issued a deadline of January 1st, 2016 for Supernumerary Police, otherwise called spy police, to stop wearing police uniform.
Supernumerary police is made up of personnel recruited and trained by the police but who are attached to private companies like banks, oil companies and other institutions and usually wear police uniforms.
They may not rise in rank as fast as their colleagues in the direct service with the police. Companies employing them are also responsible for the remunerations.
However, the Nigeria police has now moved to stop the use of its uniform as part of efforts to checkmate crimes in the country.
According to a statement issued by the police spokesperson, Olabisi Kolawole, the Inspector General gave this deadline at a meeting with security managers of companies using the spy police.
“He noted this measure being part of his administration’s renewed crime fighting strategy, is aimed at curtailing the activities of criminally minded persons who disguise in police uniform to perpetuate their nefarious activities,” the statement read.
It added that a newly designed grey and black trouser uniform has been approved as the new uniform to be worn by spy police nationwide.