ONS WARNS FASHION DEALERS
By Tony Yayo
The Office of National Security (ONS) has issued out a strong warning to all fashion dealers and owners of boutiques across the country to stop the illegal importation and sale of military camouflage to people who are not members of the state’s security apparatus. This security concern was raised lately by a senior official of the ONS, Abdul Karim Turay, following the increase in use of military uniforms by ordinary people across the country, including the latest arrest of large quantities of these uniforms from local traders and importers in Freetown.
Under the laws of the country, anyone caught selling, importing or wearing such uniforms will be charged one thousand leones or face twelve months imprisonment.
Speaking to the press recently, Abdul Karim noted that sale and use of camouflage materials by non-military personnel is against the Impersonation and Uniform Law of the land, adding that there is currently a national ban on the sale, importation and usage of military uniforms. The ONS representative also accused women of violating the law by wearing military uniforms in public with some claiming that they got it from their military husbands. However, he revealed that the ONS will start arresting anyone caught wearing military camouflage.
He also stated that the ONS has observed that a lot of unauthorised people are now importing such uniforms in large quantities, adding that there is a special section in the Sierra Leone Police force that looks into such issues which, if not handled properly, could lead to negative implications on the state. Abdul Karim continued that misusing military uniforms is creating a bad image for the country, especially that the ONS recently handed over huge quantities of military style uniforms to RSLAF that were arrested by state operatives.
The ONS representative called on all fashion dealers to play their part in maintaining order in the nation ‘especially as we head towards the 2023 general elections’. He also promised to introduce hard policing strategies on the issue and that ‘anyone arrested will be investigated and charged to court’.