- The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun, has ordered supernumerary officers to adhere to the new uniform
- He said the new uniform is essential to prevent the unauthorised production and distribution of police uniforms, including the SPY uniform
- Nigerians react to the development, mistaking a supernumerary officer for a spy
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun, has approved a new standard uniform for Supernumerary Police (SPY) personnel while urging organisations utilising them to adhere strictly to the new uniforms of the officers.
Egbetokun, represented by Mr Bala Ciroma, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Administration and Finance, gave the order on September 3 in Abuja at the inauguration of the new standard SPY uniforms.
“As we relaunch these uniforms and kits, we mandate all organisations utilising SPY Police personnel to adhere to these new standardised uniforms strictly.
“The Force Quartermaster and personnel across the states will provide guidance on the registration and acquisition.
“All Police Training Schools are instructed to adopt the new uniform issuance model for SPY Police personnel,” he added.
Egbetokun said the Nigeria Police Force was actively taking measures to prevent the unauthorised production and distribution of police uniforms, including the SPY uniform.
He said the inauguration of the newly approved standardised SPY police uniforms and kits was a significant milestone and a crucial step to enhance the professionalism and visibility of the officers.
According to him, Section 21(7) of the Nigeria Police Act 2020 (as amended) formally establishes the Supernumerary Police as an integral unit within the Nigeria Police Force.
“The Act further defines their powers, privileges, and functions, as well as their supervision by the Nigeria Police Force, including their uniforms and accoutrements, thereby ensuring a standardised visual identity.
“Pursuant to Section 21 of the same Act, private organisations or government departments seeking to utilise the services of the officers for the protection of their owned or controlled properties may submit an application to the I-G.”
“In spite of being an essential and desirable component of the force, the SPY Unit has faced difficulties in establishing a distinct identity,” he further stated.
The IG said attempts to create and enhance its identity had been significantly impeded by a lack of a standardised and distinctive uniform, which had persisted as a significant obstacle.
According to him, upon assumption of office, the current force management team recognised the need to leverage the support of the SPY Police Unit to augment guard and protective commitment nationwide.
Nigerians react as IG unveils ‘SPY’ uniform
Following the order by the Inspector-General of Police for organisations utilising Supernumerary Police (SPY) personnel to adhere to the new standardised uniforms strictly, Nigerians expressed their opinions on the uniform, as many thought ‘SPY’ is a spy. However, some are disappointed that many people couldn't differentiate between the acronym ‘SPY’ and spy.
We've gathered some of the comments as seen on X and present them below.
@ceaserokoli said: “The very idea of being a spy police is defeated by this uniform.”
@officialiwin wrote: “Supernumerary means “they are part-time police officers”. They are mostly employed as supplementary officers to assist in times of need like emergencies, large public events, etc.”
@Henryhoomen1 expressed: “Nigeria will always disgrace you. Spy dey get uniform?”
@AMOSONIJOSEPH shared: “Staying off uniform but with official ID CARD would have been the best and also practicing high professionalism.”
@toris3∅∅∅∅ wrote: “From the comment section, its clear Nigerians don't know the duty of spy police..don't confuse them with intelligence officers because u see the word spy, which is just an abbreviation.. they're not real police..just helper in times of crises...this uniform is a welcome idea.”
@_UncleAlex replied: “Are spies not supposed to be disguised??? I don't understand.”
@ChukwuemekaAlum said: “Does it stop them from collecting #50 and #100 on the road? Abeg make leave me alone.”
@iam_arizona expressed: “True true Nigeria is going backwards. No sane country would ever think of giving spy police a uniform”
@emperor_moh reacted: “Mr IG doing all he can before retirement.”
@Oriin_Van_Fross replied: “The problem of we Nigerians is we don't read, we always jump into conclusions.”
@nadetokunbowale said: “Carnival of ignorance is happening in the comment section”
Interesting twist as Inspector General of Police orders protection for protesters
Meanwhile, in an earlier report, TheRadar reported that the Inspector-General of Police had issued directives to police officers to ensure the security of protesters as requested by a pro-democracy movement lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN, who requested police protection for protesters.
However, Inspector-General Egbetokun requested to have a meeting with the group’s lawyer, Adegboruwa SAN at the police headquarters in Abuja to further deliberate on the request.