The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has reiterated the ban on unauthorised use of camouflage uniforms in the country.

Mr 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 Henshaw Ogubike, the ministry’s spokesperson, Mr Matawalle warned agencies affected to abide by the directive.

According to the minister, the present situation does not support the unregulated use of military camouflage by people and agencies not authorised.

“This is because criminals among us have taken advantage of the military, police and other security agencies’ gears to perpetrate crimes,” he added.

Mr Matawalle, therefore, said banning paramilitary agencies from using military camouflage was to bring sanity to the system and checkmate criminals.

The minister said the armed forces and the police would enforce the ban, which was earlier announced by National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu.

Those affected by the ban on the use of camouflage are the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Federal Fire Service, among others. 

(NAN)