Delta police warn against indecent dressing, roll out punishments for offenders
The Delta State Police Command has issued a stern warning to residents over indecent dressing, declaring it a punishable offence under the state’s domesticated Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law.
In a public notice shared on the command’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, the police emphasized that the move aims to educate citizens about lesser-known provisions of the law that are actively being enforced.
“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,” the post stated.
Specifically, the police cited Section 29 of the VAPP Law, which criminalizes indecent exposure in public spaces. According to the law, any person who deliberately exposes private body parts in public is liable upon conviction to a fine of up to ₦50,000, a community service sentence, or both.
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Using a relatable tone, the police also translated the warning into Pidgin English to ensure wide reach and understanding:
“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.”
Originally enacted at the federal level in 2015 by former President Goodluck Jonathan, the VAPP Act was domesticated in Delta State in July 2020. The law comprehensively prohibits various forms of violence, abuse, and harmful traditional practices. Offences under the act include female genital mutilation, battery, harmful widowhood practices, abandonment, forceful ejection from homes, and now, indecent exposure.
The police command assured that awareness campaigns on other overlooked laws would continue weekly, as part of a broader public enlightenment initiative.
The warning has sparked public debate over its interpretation and enforcement, with residents expressing mixed reactions on social media.
By PRNigeria
