IG warns Nollywood against illegal police uniforms use | Tellwell Newspaper
Nigeria’s national police chief has asked Nollywood film makers to stop the unauthorized use of police uniforms in films and threatened to prosecute those who portray police in bad light in their films, Tellwell Newspaper gathered.
Inspector-General of Police Usman Alkali Baba expressed worry over the “incessant and unauthorised possession and use of Police uniforms and accoutrements by some individuals, movies and skit makers” who portray the police in degrading manner.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the national police spokesman Chief Supretendant of Police Olumuyiwa Adejobi, and obtained by Tellwell Newspaper,
on Sunday.
The police chief fumed at the sale of police paraphernalia in shops and stalls not recognized and approved by the police authorities.
“The IGP has equally frowned at the demeaning manner in which movie makers and skit makers portray the Police institution in their movies and skits,” said the statement, warning that using the police uniform and accessories without police authorization is a criminal offence which attracts appropriate sanction.
Baba therefore directed police commands and formations as well as other relevant police units to apprehend and prosecute all defaulters in their jurisdictions in accordance with extant laws.
He also warned film and skit makers who depict the police in demeaning light without obtaining duly issued permit to desist or face “the full wrath of the law.”
To this end, Tellwell Newspaper reports that Baba charged the police image maker with the responsibility of authourising applications for the use of police kits in movies which would “portray good values, impress positively on the Nigerian public and add value to our system.”
The police chief argued that the regulation of the sale and possession of police kits would assist in reviving moral values and tackling crimes in the society.
“It is obvious that this step will surely curb proliferation of Police kits, uniforms and accoutrements and eventually reduce police impostors-induced crimes in our society,” the statement concluded.
