Reacting to Friday’s announcement of a new dress code for female police officers in Nigeria by the Inspector General of Police ,Usman Alkali Baba, The Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria, (FOMWAN) has commended the Nigeria Police Force for approving the new dress codes for police women, saying this will enable Muslim women contribute their quota to nation-building and enhance their commitment to duty.
In a statement signed by its National Amirah, Hajia Rafi’ah Idowu Sanni on Monday, She said “This is a unique development in the history of the Nigerian Police Force. Kudos to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba for the approval. With this development, the Nigerian Force has become the first Security Agency in the country to introduce the policy which granted permission to willing female Muslim police officers to wear hijabs with their uniforms.
“I can say without any fear of contradictions that hijabs had long been approved as part of the uniforms of the Police, Army and Naval officers in many developed climes hence we should not see this as another form of extremism or what some religious bigots in Nigeria will term as Islamization agenda. Female Muslims are never comfortable not wearing their hijabs as commanded in the Quran. “This new dress code will enable Muslim sisters to fulfil one of the most important commandments of Allah which is to cover their heads. “FOMWAN is appealing to our Muslimah in the Police Force to be of the best moral standards as exemplified by the holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
She urged the police authorities across the country to allow implementation of the new policy without any form of harassment, discrimination or victimization of the willing female officers.
The new dress code also permits female police officers to wear stud earrings and headscarf under their berets or peak caps while in uniform.
