ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigerian Army has issued a stern warning against civilians using military uniforms, emphasising that it is a criminal offence that could result in jail terms.
This warning was made clear by Major-General Gold Chibuisi, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (CCMA), during a media interaction with defence correspondents in Abuja on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
Gen. Chibuisi stressed that wearing military uniforms is illegal unless one is a member of the Armed Forces or security agencies, underscoring the importance of respecting the uniform to maintain national security and build public trust in the military.
He explained that such actions could facilitate criminal activities and jeopardise the safety of civilians.
“I am a bit surprised that most briefs we give in our programmes, we always talk about this issue of uniform because it keeps recurring,” Gen. Chibuisi said.
“It is against the law of the land. If you are not in the armed forces or the security agencies, to use their uniform — whether you love it or not — is a crime.”
The CCMA advised that individuals who admire the military should consider joining its ranks rather than illegally donning military attire.
He added, “If you like the military, join the military. Don’t wear our uniform if you are not one of us.”
The growing misuse of military gear, according to Gen. Chibuisi, is posing a significant security risk.
Criminals are increasingly exploiting military uniforms to carry out unlawful activities, making it difficult for both civilians and security personnel to differentiate between real soldiers and impersonators.
“Currently, there are a lot of criminals using military garb to perpetrate crime,” Gen. Chibuisi pointed out.
“If people keep dressing like that, how do you differentiate between a criminal and a genuine soldier?”
As part of the army’s ongoing efforts to enforce the law, Gen. Chibuisi noted that soldiers are trained to arrest civilians caught wearing military gear and to hand them over to the police for prosecution.
He also acknowledged concerns over possible mistreatment during such arrests but reassured the public that sensitisation programmes are being implemented within the army to prevent harassment.
“All these other things that come with it — harassment or rough handling those caught— are not right. And we are doing sensitization on them. The soldiers that we get evidence against, we always sanction them sternly,” he added.
