Whenever there are stories of soldier brutality on basis of wearing camouflage, there are usually those quick to defend the soldiers, and of course some others who think it is funny.

After seeing that thread about soldier beating up a crippled man, I think this is the right time to ask. Brutality towards a defenseless civilian is bad enough, but beating up a cripple? That's... I don't even know what to say. See thread here...
https://www.nairaland.com/3617556/soldiers-brutalise-crippled-man-onitsha

I admit, I do not know it all. I do not know if there's any part of the Nigerian Constitution or Criminal code that outlaws wearing camouflage shirts, shorts or trousers.

If there is, I think we should enlighten others so they don't suffer a well-deserved punishment. If there isn't, why are Nigerians silent about it?

So please, if you know any such written law, tell us where it is written. I'd like to look it up and update my knowledge base.

Cc.
Seun
Lalasticalala
Nairalanders

Booked

I don't know about any law on wearing camouflage but the main reason military men seize it from civilians is because of impersonation. Many atimes reported cases of uniformed men carrying out one atrocity or another is being done by impostors in uniform. I support security personnel on this.

louqas:
Many atimes reported cases of uniformed men carrying out one atrocity or another is being done by impostors in uniform. I support security personnel on this.

Beating innocent civilians for wearing army uniforms won't stop criminals from using army uniforms to perpetrate evil, because they are criminals. In fact, it helps the criminals, because it ensures that people will assume that anyone wearing a military outfit must be a real army officer. And if you want to outlaw the wearing of military-like uniforms, that should only mean those wearing it will be arrested, not beaten.

louqas:
I don't know about any law on wearing camouflage but the main reason military men seize it from civilians is because of impersonation. Many atimes reported cases of uniformed men carrying out one atrocity or another is being done by impostors in uniform. I support security personnel on this.

this is a good reason to brutalize any civilian wearing camo?

If it's a crime, why not arrest them instead of going violent on them? Are we in the military era?

Seun:
Beating innocent civilians for wearing army uniforms won't stop criminals from using army uniforms to perpetrate evil, because they are criminals. In fact, it helps the criminals, because it ensures that people will assume that anyone wearing a military outfit must be a real army officer. And if you want to outlaw the wearing of military-like uniforms, that should only mean those wearing it will be arrested, not beaten.

my thoughts exactly.

However, I don't think they do it to prevent possible crime with the uniforms. I think beating up civilians makes them feel powerful and superior. You can tell from the derogatory names they call civilians.

Section 110 & 111 of Nigeria Criminal Code Act states;

Any person who- Unlawfully wearing the uniform of forces, etc. L.N. 112 of 1964. 1967 No. 27.

(1) not being a person serving in any of the armed forces of Nigeria, wears the uniform or any part of the uniform of such forces, or any the armed dress having the appearance or bearing any of the regimental or other distinctive marks of such uniforms; or

(2) not being a person holding any office or authority under the Government of Nigeria or of any part thereof, wears any uniform or distinctive badge or mark or carries any token calculated to convey the impression that such person holds any office or authority under the government;

is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for one month, or to a fine of ten naira, unless he proves that he had the permission of the President or of the Governor of a State or wear such uniform or dress, badge or mark or to carry such token:

Provided that this section shall not apply to the wearing of any uniform or dress in the course of a stage play or in any bona fide public entertainment.

111. Any person who sells or gives any uniform, or part of a or any dress, badge or mark, as in the last preceding section mentioned, to any person who is not authorised to wear the same, is guilty of an offence and is liable to the penalties prescribed in the said section.

Section 251 of the Constitution also states;

Any person who, not being a person serving in any of the armed or police forces of Nigeria, wears the uniform of any of these forces, or any dress having the appearance or bearing any of the regimental or other distinctive marks of any such uniform, in such manner or in such circumstances as to be likely to bring contempt on that uniform, or employs any other person so to wear such uniform or dress, is guilty of a simple offence, and is liable to imprisonment for three months or to a fine of forty naira.... The offence for wearing camo is laughable and indicates this part of the Constitution has not been updated. Ten Naira and Forty Naira might make this law seem laughable but in Section 110 (1) in Lagos State Law (2011) it is a serious business which says the penalty for wearing camo is 2 years imprisonment with no option of fine.

This is so not cool. Who does wearing camo hurt? We have to remember that Nigeria is a highly militarised country even though we are into almost 2 decades of democratic rule. We still see soldiers with AK-47 rifles regularly on our roads like a coup has just happened. Military men still beat up civilians for the most trivial of things like rite of way.

Bahddo:
this is a good reason to brutalize any civilian wearing camo?

If it's a crime, why not arrest them instead of going violent on them? Are we in the military era?

If you are not up to any mischief why wear a military uniform? Its not peculiar to military mind you, all military and para military uniform are abused and used by imposters . Rights come with responsibilities

Seun:
Beating innocent civilians for wearing army uniforms won't stop criminals from using army uniforms to perpetrate evil, because they are criminals. In fact, it helps the criminals, because it ensures that people will assume that anyone wearing a military outfit must be a real army officer. And if you want to outlaw the wearing of military-like uniforms, that should only mean those wearing it will be arrested, not beaten.

Why would a civilian want to wear military uniform if they aren't up to any mischief ? People have used even uniform of other para military personnel to defraud people not only military.

louqas:


Why would a civilian want to wear military uniform if they aren't up to any mischief ? People have used even uniform of other para military personnel to defraud people not only military.

that's bullshit.. Lol I'm a good girl.. I use it all the time.. It's a fashion ware..

But If They See A Terrorist with camouflage they Will Run To Their VillageS and hide.
Na Only Where Civilians Dey DeM Dey Get Power. Nonsense

Nina4u:
Section 110 & 111 of Nigeria Criminal Code Act states;

Any person who- Unlawfully wearing the uniform of forces, etc. L.N. 112 of 1964. 1967 No. 27.

(1) not being a person serving in any of the armed forces of Nigeria, wears the uniform or any part of the uniform of such forces, or any the armed dress having the appearance or bearing any of the regimental or other distinctive marks of such uniforms; or

(2) not being a person holding any office or authority under the Government of Nigeria or of any part thereof, wears any uniform or distinctive badge or mark or carries any token calculated to convey the impression that such person holds any office or authority under the government;

is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for one month, or to a fine of ten naira, unless he proves that he had the permission of the President or of the Governor of a State or wear such uniform or dress, badge or mark or to carry such token:

Provided that this section shall not apply to the wearing of any uniform or dress in the course of a stage play or in any bona fide public entertainment.

111. Any person who sells or gives any uniform, or part of a or any dress, badge or mark, as in the last preceding section mentioned, to any person who is not authorised to wear the same, is guilty of an offence and is liable to the penalties prescribed in the said section.

Section 251 of the Constitution also states;

Any person who, not being a person serving in any of the armed or police forces of Nigeria, wears the uniform of any of these forces, or any dress having the appearance or bearing any of the regimental or other distinctive marks of any such uniform, in such manner or in such circumstances as to be likely to bring contempt on that uniform, or employs any other person so to wear such uniform or dress, is guilty of a simple offence, and is liable to imprisonment for three months or to a fine of forty naira.... The offence for wearing camo is laughable and indicates this part of the Constitution has not been updated. Ten Naira and Forty Naira might make this law seem laughable but in Section 110 (1) in Lagos State Law (2011) it is a serious business which says the penalty for wearing camo is 2 years imprisonment with no option of fine.

This is so not cool. Who does wearing camo hurt? We have to remember that Nigeria is a highly militarised country even though we are into almost 2 decades of democratic rule. We still see soldiers with AK-47 rifles regularly on our roads like a coup has just happened. Military men still beat up civilians for the most trivial of things like rite of way.

oh... I see. Thank you Nina.

It's unlawful to wear it then, but that also makes it unlawful for soldiers to beat up anyone wearing a shirt that has an appearance of the military uniform. The punishment is imprisonment or a fine, not a beating.

Yeah, our laws are mostly archaic, rigidly influenced by the military era and religious sentiments. A review of the Nigerian constitution is long overdue though it seems unlikely.

In unrelated matters, why are you interested in Nigeria? I'm curious.

louqas:


If you are not up to any mischief why wear a military uniform? Its not peculiar to military mind you, all military and para military uniform are abused and used by imposters . Rights come with responsibilities

you aren't making any sense whatsoever. They beat up a crippled man in onitsha over the camo. What mischief could a crippled guy possibly be up to?

emvico:
But If They See A Terrorist with camouflage they Will Run To Their VillageS and hide.
Na Only Where Civilians Dey DeM Dey Get Power. Nonsense

I tell you. I get pissed anytime I see the way they lord it over civilians.

Naija matter don tire me sha.

Bahddo:
I tell you. I get pissed anytime I see the way they lord it over civilians.

Naija matter don tire me sha.

my brother once they see a civilian with camouflage they will treat him/her like a slave. but they can't do same to terrorist. and our leaders overlooked all this things. very bad.

Bahddo:
I tell you. I get pissed anytime I see the way they lord it over civilians.

Naija matter don tire me sha.

my brother this people are very wicked, when they see a civilian on camouflage, they treat him/her like a slave but they can't do same to a terrorist and yet our leaders overlook all these things

Bahddo:
oh... I see. Thank you Nina.

It's unlawful to wear it then, but that also makes it unlawful for soldiers to beat up anyone wearing a shirt that has an appearance of the military uniform. The punishment is imprisonment or a fine, not a beating.

Yeah, our laws are mostly archaic, rigidly influenced by the military era and religious sentiments. A review of the Nigerian constitution is long overdue though it seems unlikely.

In unrelated matters, why are you interested in Nigeria? I'm curious.

you are correct.. They can't beat civilians.. If so take their name make sure it's witnesses and video film.. Tell someone to film it and I would so sue the military.. Me why I know so much I don't know but I do keep my self informed what's going on since naija will soon be my second home.. My fiancee is lagosian..

Nina4u:
that's bullshit.. Lol I'm a good girl.. I use it all the time.. It's a fashion ware..

come are you a Nigerian?

Bahddo:
you aren't making any sense whatsoever. They beat up a crippled man in onitsha over the camo. What mischief could a crippled guy possibly be up to?

Have u not heard old news about crippled and disabled people hiding guns for Armed Robbers, u can't trust anybody dis days

ceejay80s:


Have u not heard old news about crippled and disabled people hiding guns for Armed Robbers, u can't trust anybody dis days

so he needs to wear soldier uniform to 'hide' guns for robbers?

Nina4u:
you are correct.. They can't beat civilians.. If so take their name make sure it's witnesses and video film.. Tell someone to film it and I would so sue the military.. Me why I know so much I don't know but I do keep my self informed what's going on since naija will soon be my second home.. My fiancee is lagosian..

lol... Heaven help the person that is caught filming them

Awww... That's sweet. Welcome to Naija in advance.

I know why you know so much. It's called Google search

musa7m:
come are you a Nigerian?

I'm from Sweden I live in usa

Nina4u:
I'm from Sweden I live in usa

wait Nairaland in usa?...hmmmmmm ok