The Delta State chapter of the Take It Back Movement (TIB) has strongly condemned the recent announcement by the State Police Command targeting what it described as “indecent dressing,” a move that could see violators fined N50,000 or subjected to community service.
The TIB accused the police of launching a war on fashion as a diversion from widespread insecurity and governance failure.
In a statement issued on Sunday, TIB’s Deputy Coordinator, Comrade Nelson Ubi, questioned the rationale behind the policy, accusing the police of ignoring pressing security threats such as banditry, drug abuse, kidnapping, and herdsmen-related violence.
“At a time when fear grips the streets of Delta, and mothers bury children lost to Fulani herdsmen attacks, armed robbery, and drug-related violence, the police have suddenly found a new enemy, clothing,” Ubi said.
The Delta State Command had threatened to subject residents of the state found guilty of indecent dressing to a N50,000 fine or be sentenced to community service.
The Command, which warned residents against indecent dressing, said that the penalty is in accordance with the state’s domesticated version of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law.
The threat was contained in a public notice shared via the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of the command on Saturday.
The post, aimed at raising awareness of lesser-known laws in the state, was captioned, “There are some laws that you don’t know the state frowns against. So, every weekend, we will be dropping some of these laws so that you will be aware.”
In a statement written in Nigerian Pidgin, the police warned, “As you no like wear cloth wey dey cover your body well, and you prefer dey waka go work, school, or anywhere with clothes wey dey show everywhere for your body, make you hear am – Delta state government nor dey smile for that kain dressing.
“VAAP law don ready to punish anybody wey no dress well. Punishment: community service or N50,000 fine (Since you choose not to wear clothes that properly cover your body and prefer to go to work, school, or other places in revealing outfits, be warned — the Delta State Government is not taking such dressing lightly. The VAPP Law is now in place to punish anyone found guilty of indecent dressing. The penalty: community service or a ₦50,000 fine).”
According to the police, the penalty is in tandem with Section 29 of the Delta State version of the VAPP Law, which criminalizes indecent exposure.
The TIB argued that the controversial directive amounts to a gross misplacement of priorities and potentially veils a deeper, more dangerous ideological agenda.
“This is not just a misplacement of priorities. This is a reckless attempt to shift attention away from the blood-soaked realities confronting Delta people daily,” the statement read.
TIB further alleged that the policy could be part of an underhanded attempt to impose conservative values in a secular and culturally diverse state, asking, “Is there a subtle plan to Islamize Delta State by enforcing conservative dress codes?”
The movement described the directive as a political distraction and a tool of repression, saying, “When a government or security agency avoids its core duty of protecting lives and property, and instead begins to legislate morality, that government is declaring war on its own people.”
Drawing comparisons with conservative regimes in Saudi Arabia and Iran, the TIB stressed that Delta State is “a land of freedom, culture, and resistance,” not a theocratic state where dress codes should be dictated by law enforcement.
The group demanded an immediate withdrawal of the policy, warning that anything less would be seen as a declaration of “moral war” against the people.
“We reject the imposition of a N50,000 fine on what citizens choose to wear. We reject the labeling of youths as criminals simply for expressing themselves through fashion.
“We reject the creeping moral dictatorship trying to disguise itself as law enforcement,” Ubi declared.
The TIB said it is mobilising to resist the policy using all legal and democratic means.
“Let those in power focus on chasing bandits, not brassieres,” the group said.
“This is not Saudi Arabia. This is not Iran. This is Delta State, a land of freedom, culture, and resistance.
“Let those in power focus on chasing bandits, not brassieres. Let the police go after kidnappers, not crop tops. Let the state fight crime, not clothing.
“We are watching. We are organising. And we will fight back against any attempt to turn Delta State into a theocratic prison.
“The dress of our daughters is not the enemy. Insecurity is. Corruption is. Political failure is. So face the real threats and leave our bodies alone.
“This policy must be withdrawn immediately. Anything less is a declaration of moral war against the people, and history will remember who stood and who sold out.” (SaharaReporters)
