A claim circulating on social media suggests that the Nigerian government plans to remove pockets from police uniforms to curb bribery. However, an investigation has found no evidence to support this claim. The posts, which have appeared on multiple Facebook pages, include a graphic with a photo of Bala Ciroma, the deputy inspector general of police, displaying a police uniform with the caption “FG to remove pockets from police uniforms to tackle bribery, says FG.”

Corruption within the Nigerian police force is a well-documented issue, with a 2016 survey by the National Bureau of Statistics finding that 46.4% of police officers had been involved in bribery. A more recent survey in 2023 also found that bribery was more common among police officers than other public officials, with 46% of male police officers and 28% of female officers reporting involvement in bribery.

Despite the prevalence of corruption, a reverse image search of the photo accompanying the claim revealed that it was taken on September 3, 2024, at the unveiling of new uniforms and kits for supernumerary officers, also known as spy police. These officers are private individuals trained by the Nigeria Police Force to perform specific security functions. A search of official websites, including those of the Nigeria Police Force, the Police Service Commission, and the Ministry of Police Affairs, found no evidence to support the claim that the government plans to remove pockets from police uniforms.

Further investigation found that this claim has been circulating for several years, with a similar post appearing on a Nigerian online discussion forum in 2017. At the time, there was no evidence to support the claim, and it appears that the same is true in 2025. The lack of evidence suggests that the claim is likely a hoax, and readers should be cautious when sharing or believing information on social media. The Nigerian government has not announced any plans to remove pockets from police uniforms, and any reports suggesting otherwise are unfounded.