Arrest awaits anyone caught in illegal police uniforms — Anambra CP

Anambra CP Ikioye Orutugu

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Any resident found with unauthorised police kits, including uniforms and other accessories, in Anambra State will now face immediate arrest and prosecution, PUNCH Metro learnt on Tuesday.

According to the state police command, the new enforcement measures are designed to prevent impersonation, extortion, and other security breaches involving fake security personnel.

In a statement signed on Tuesday by the command’s spokesperson, Ikenga Tochukwu, the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, warned that “any individual found wearing, selling, or using police or other security agency uniforms, kits, or accoutrements without authorisation will face immediate arrest and prosecution.”

The statement partly read, “The new measure became necessary following security assessments indicating that unauthorised persons have been using police and other security agency uniforms to commit crimes.

“The Anambra State Police Command has announced a new set of enforcement measures aimed at strengthening public security and curbing the increasing misuse of security agency uniforms within the state.

“The Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, on December 9, 2025, disclosed the development after security reports indicated that unauthorised individuals have been using police and military uniforms to perpetrate crime, intimidate residents, and evade lawful scrutiny.

“The CP notes that the new directives are intended to ensure proper identification of all security personnel on duty and eradicate activities of impersonators who endanger public safety.

“He stated that security uniforms remain classified government property, and their unlawful possession constitutes a criminal offence.

“The Commissioner further ordered all Divisional Police Officers, tactical teams and patrol units across the state to intensify visibility policing and conduct thorough verification of personnel identities during operations.

“He encouraged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious individuals impersonating security personnel.”

This directive follows a November incident in which gunmen posing as security operatives opened fire on a convoy belonging to a former governor of Anambra State, Chris Ngige, along the Nkpor–Nnobi Road in Idemili North.

The attackers, reportedly dressed in fake police and military uniforms, sprayed bullets on the pilot vehicle in a daytime ambush.

Although Ngige was not in the convoy during the attack, a policeman in the lead car was reportedly shot, and the gunmen allegedly made away with his rifle and uniform after riddling the vehicle with bullets.

Uthman, a Mass Communication graduate from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has over six years experience in journalism. He reports crime to community-related news for Metro, business with a focus on the capital market and the oil and gas.

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