The Nigeria military authorities warns that horrible consequences, henceforth, awaits anyone caught wearing any of the military uniforms for whatsoever reason.
CEOAFRICA news desk learnt that this warning follows the alarming cases of impersonation of the army, the navy and the air force by the civilian population.
The authorities also warned their personnel against indulging in acts capable of discrediting them, reminding them that the army, navy, and the air force, as embodiment of discipline will not hesitate to mete out in-service disciplinary measures, including dismissal where appropriate against unruly personnel.
The military high commands in Lagos, at a news conference, jointly addressed by Adeniji Oyebade (Brigadier General), Commander,9 Brigade headquarter, Nigerian Army, Lagos; Eze Koba (Navy Commodore), commander, NNS Beecroft, Apapa; and Sunday Jang Wukenga (Air Commodore), Commander, 435 Base Support Group, Lagos, said the commands were daily inundated with reports of criminal use of military uniforms especially the army camouflage by imposters who engage in heinous crimes against unsuspecting members of the public.
The commanders said the authorities were stepping up surveillance to detect and bring to book such imposters, as well as any military personnel who throw discipline to the winds and break known service rules.
The three commanders who showcased the various authentic uniforms of the army, navy and air force, while briefing the press at the Military Cantonment, Ikeja, said members of the public in doubt of the genuineness of a uniform worn by a person claiming to be a military personnel, were at liberty to report their doubt at any nearby police station, or military formations, or even approach the “personnel” in question and demand to see his/her identity card.
“I can tell that any genuine military personnel politely approached will be willing to identify his self. Those who become violent are likely to be imposters,” Oyebade said.
He noted however that the fake military uniforms with which the imposters deceive the public were available locally while some may be coming in through the porous Nigeria borders, but warned that it remains a criminal offence for a civilian or ex-personnel to wear military or near-military uniform for any reason.
