The Delta State Police Command has announced plans to enforce penalties for what it describes as “indecent dressing,” citing provisions from the state’s domesticated Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law.
The announcement, made on Saturday via the police command’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, stated that the Delta State Government disapproves of revealing clothing and will punish offenders under the VAPP law. Offenders risk a fine of ₦50,000 or community service.
A cartoon-style graphic accompanying the post featured a message written in Pidgin English, which read:
“As you nor 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. VAPP law don ready to punish anybody wey nor dress well.”
The police also noted that every weekend, more provisions of the law would be shared publicly to raise awareness, stating:
“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 VAPP Act was originally passed at the federal level in 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, and was domesticated in Delta State in July 2020. The law seeks to prohibit all forms of violence against persons in both private and public life, and to provide protection and justice for victims.
The police post cited Section 16 of the VAPP Law; however, the section relevant to indecent dressing in Delta State actually falls under Section 29: Indecent Exposure, which states:
“(1) A person who intentionally exposes any of his or her private parts wholly or partly in public commits the offence of indecent exposure.
(2) A person who commits this offence is liable on conviction to community service, a fine not exceeding ₦50,000, or both.”
At the federal level, Section 16 of the VAPP Act addresses the abandonment of dependants, while Section 26 covers indecent exposure. It outlines more severe penalties, particularly when exposure is done with intent to cause distress or to elicit sexual acts.
For example, it states:
“A person who intentionally exposes his or her genital organs… and induces another to touch or massage them for sexual pleasure commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for not less than one year or a fine not exceeding ₦500,000, or both.”
The Delta Police Command’s recent post has sparked debate online, particularly over the interpretation of “indecent dressing” and the broader implications for personal freedom and policing of appearance.
