…Restates ban on illegal use of military camouflage

By: Kingsley Omonobi

The Nigerian Army has reiterated that the ban on the unauthorized use of military camouflage remained in full effect.

Only personnel of the armed forces of Nigeria and the Nigeria Police Force are legally permitted to wear military camouflage.

Army spokesperson, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, said this in a statement while reacting to a recent circulation of an old video depicting a soldier molesting a civilian for wearing a Nigerian Army desert camouflage uniform.

Clarifying the video, Maj. General Nwachukwu clarified that the video’s footage was a stale audio-visual being re-circulated by individuals or content creators either empty of content or with malicious intent to create tension between the military and the civilian populace.

He added that the incident in question occurred in 2021, adding that the Army took immediate and decisive action at the time.

“The soldier involved was arrested, tried, and appropriately punished for his unacceptable behavior, which violated the core values of the Nigerian Army, particularly the respect for others and their fundamental rights.

“This regulation becomes expedient as terrorists, insurgents, and other imposters have often times exploited the misuse of military camouflage to commit heinous crimes against unsuspecting members of the public, thereby posing significant security tthreat.

“The Nigerian Army remains committed to upholding the law and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.
“We urge the public to disregard the re-circulated video and to remain vigilant against attempts to sow discord and tension within the country,’’ he said.