29/06/2025
DELTA STATE POLICE WARNS AGAINST INDECENT DRESSING, CITES N50,000 FINE OR COMMUNITY SERVICE PENALTY
In a recent announcement that has stirred widespread debate across social media, the Delta State Police Command issued a stern warning against what it described as “indecent dressing” among residents, particularly young women. The command stated that offenders may now face penalties under the state’s Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, including a fine of ₦50,000 or compulsory community service.
The warning, shared via the official police social media handle, was written in pidgin English and read:
“As you no dey like wear cloth wey dey cover your body well, indecent dressing in Delta State is now punishable by either fine of ₦50,000 or community service. If you like, no dress well.”
This post has sparked intense reactions from the public, with many questioning the legal backing and clarity of what constitutes "indecent dressing." According to the police, the enforcement is based on Section 29 of the Delta State VAPP Law (2020), which criminalizes the intentional public exposure of intimate parts.
Legal experts and rights groups have cautioned that the police may be misrepresenting the actual provisions of the VAPP Law. According to a fact-check by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), the law specifically penalizes the intentional exposure of ge***al organs, breasts, or buttocks, and not general fashion choices such as wearing tight, short, or sleeveless clothing.
“The law is clear about indecent exposure, but what the police have done is blur the line between what is legally punishable and what they consider morally unacceptable,” said human rights lawyer Chika Udeh.
Social media users, particularly women, have criticized the police statement as vague, moralistic, and potentially open to abuse.
A student from Delta State University commented, “This is just another way to police women’s bodies. What’s next? Arresting people for not wearing a headscarf?”
However, some residents support the move, saying it may help reduce public indecency and promote cultural values.
In response to the backlash, the Delta Police Command has maintained that the action is within the law and necessary to curb "moral decay" in society.
“The aim is not to harass or shame anyone but to maintain public decency in line with the law,” said a spokesperson for the Command.
While the police’s campaign continues to trend online, legal experts have advised citizens to understand their rights and the actual content of the VAPP Law to avoid misinterpretation or abuse of power. Civil society organizations are also calling for public education and clearer guidelines on what the law entails.
