‘New dress code for female cops optional’

The Nigeria Police Force has insisted that the approval of a new dress code for female cops is in line with international best practices.

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, had on Friday approved a new dress code for police women.

With the approval, female officers are now allowed to stud earrings and head scarves under their beret or peak caps while in uniform.

This was, however, greeted with criticism by some sections of Nigerians.

For instance, two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Ebunoluwa Adegboruwa and Ifedayo Adedipe, faulted the decision, saying it was illegal.

Adegboruwa said the approval was contrary to the provision of Section 10 of the 1999 constitution, which states that the government and its agencies should remain a neutral stand on religion.

On his part, Adedipe asked if police stations in the country had been converted to religious centres.

But the force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, said female cops wear headscarves in other parts of the world, adding that the directive was not compulsory.

Meanwhile, the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria had commended the IG for responding  to the yearnings and aspirations of policewomen as well as rank and file of the NPF, who were clamouring for inclusiveness in the mode of dressing.

A statement by the National Coordinator of the group, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim, described the new dress code as the right step in the right direction.