BY: Mustapha Lawal
In the past week, a viral claim has circulated widely on social media, suggesting that the Anambra State Government has ordered the arrest of women found in public without wearing bras and underwear.
The claim, which has sparked widespread debate and outrage, originates from a video allegedly showing members of a local security outfit issuing threats against women’s dress choices. However, a closer examination reveals inconsistencies, misinformation, and potential misrepresentation of the situation.
Where Did the Claim Come From?
The controversy started with a widely shared video in which operatives of Anambra’s local security outfit were seen purportedly warning women to wear bras and pants in public or face arrest. The announcement, made via a public address system, was captured in a viral video shared on X (formerly Twitter) on February 17, 2025.
In the footage, an official of the security outfit, speaking in Igbo, claimed the directive was issued by the state governor, Prof. Charles Soludo. Part of the audio of the video translates to:
“As directed by Soludo, any woman seen without a bra and panty will be taken to the prison and convicted.”
Several posts on Facebook and other social media platforms also posted this claim. One such post reads:
“Anambra state government has announced a new law, that is taking effect. Ladies who don’t wear bras and panties to be arrested immediately!”
Other posts making the same claim can be found here, here, here, here and here.
This led to widespread speculation that the directive had come from the state government, with some reports wrongly attributing the threat to the authorities. Several online platforms, including Punch, Pulse, and Capital Post, picked up the story, amplifying concerns about the potential overreach of security personnel into personal freedoms.
Public Responses
The claim has sparked widespread criticism, with many Nigerians condemning the idea that a security outfit would attempt to police women’s clothing. Former Nigerian senator and social commentator, Shehu Sani, was among those who reacted, questioning how the security outfit intended to verify compliance:
“Anambra’s bra and pant law. I don’t know if the pant law is applicable to men… And how can the security outfit verify ladies’ compliance?” Sani posted on his X handle on Monday, February 17.
Other critics pointed out that the supposed enforcement of underwear policies raises serious concerns about human rights violations, gender discrimination, and the misuse of security apparatus for social control.
Hope Behind Bars Africa, an advocacy and legal group, said the development is a blatant violation of women’s rights. They added that such directives only contribute to the increasing attacks on women, quoting a study by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Nigeria that 28% of Nigerian women have experienced some form of physical violence since the age of 15.
“We urge the Anambra State Government to uphold women’s rights and take action to hashtag #endgbv and stop the harassment of women and girls in the state,” the group added in its post across social media.
What Has the Anambra Government Said?
Fact-checking organizations, including Africa Check, have debunked the claim that the Anambra State Government has mandated such arrests. In a video posted on Facebook, Law Mefor, the Anambra state minister of information, said that Soludo had not authorised any such arrests.
“They are deliberately concocting these terrible stories to stand in the way of progress. We are not after dress codes; we are after criminals,” Mefor said.
Christian Aburime, the chief press secretary to the Anambra state governor, also issued a statement debunking this claim. A part of the 17 February statement reads:
“We wish to categorically state that this information is not only false but also mischievous and calculated to mislead the public and paint the state government in a bad light.”
The government has distanced itself from the viral claim, with no official law, regulation, or policy supporting the idea that women will be arrested for not wearing bras or underwear in public. The viral video appears to be a case of local security operatives making informal comments rather than an official government directive.
However, despite the Anambra State Government’s dismissal of the viral claim, another video a week after suggests that members of the Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG) have taken matters into their own hands.
A video surfaced on February 28, 2025, showing operatives of the security outfit apprehending individuals allegedly for “indecent dressing.” The footage, which has sparked further debate, raises concerns over extrajudicial enforcement of moral codes by non-state actors.
This incident fuels scepticism about the effectiveness of the government’s denial and highlights the need for clearer directives to prevent overreach by local security forces.
Context
This incident raises broader concerns about misinformation and the role of security agencies in dictating personal freedoms. While some communities in Nigeria uphold cultural expectations regarding dress codes, law enforcement agencies lack the legal authority to criminalize personal clothing choices unless explicitly tied to public decency laws as defined by the country’s legal framework.
The Nigerian Constitution guarantees personal freedoms, including the right to privacy and dignity, under Section 34 and Section 37, which protect individuals from unwarranted interference in their personal lives. Additionally, Section 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution states that no person shall be punished for an act unless it is expressly stated as an offence in written law.
In past legal precedents, such as the case of Okafor v. Lagos State Government (2016), the court reaffirmed that moral policing without a legal basis violates constitutional rights. Any attempt by security agencies to impose dress restrictions, such as vigilante crackdowns, raises concerns of overreach and potential human rights violations.
Conclusion: No Government-Backed Arrests Over Dress Codes
Despite the viral claims, there is no evidence that the Anambra State Government has issued any directive to arrest women who do not wear bras or underwear. The security operatives seen in the video do not have the legal authority to impose such rules, and the state government has not passed any laws enforcing such a dress code.
The controversy surrounding the alleged enforcement of dress codes by a security outfit in Anambra State underscores the delicate balance between cultural expectations and constitutional freedoms. While communities may hold strong moral views on appropriate dressing, law enforcement agencies must operate strictly within the bounds of the law. The Nigerian Constitution guarantees personal liberties, and any action that infringes on an individual’s right to personal expression—unless explicitly criminalised by law—risks being an abuse of power.
The government’s swift dismissal of the viral claims was an important step in maintaining public trust, but the subsequent video of an actual arrest over indecent dressing raises concerns about extrajudicial enforcement. This inconsistency further fuels public apprehension over the extent of law enforcement authority and the protection of individual rights.
Moving forward, there is a need for clear guidelines on the roles of security outfits and the limits of their authority to prevent abuse. If indecent dressing is to be addressed legally, it must be done through properly enacted laws and due process, not arbitrary actions by self-appointed enforcers. Public enlightenment on citizens’ rights is also crucial to preventing misinformation, unnecessary panic, and potential human rights violations. At a time when digital misinformation can easily distort narratives, it is essential for government agencies to proactively communicate accurate information and ensure that law enforcement adheres strictly to legal provisions rather than cultural or religious biases.
