Danladi Kifasi, Head of Service: “Civil Servants who leak classified documents will be punished.”

Mr Danladi Kifasi, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, has directed Federal Civil Servants in the country to ensure that classified documents were handled with utmost confidentiality.

This is contained in a circular titled, “Handling of Classified Documents” issued to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government on Thursday in Abuja.

The circular was signed by Alhaji Mohammed Manga, Assistant Director (Media Relations), Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

It observed that some officers were in the habit of using classified government documents, including those of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for purposes other than they were meant for.

It further stated that classified documents, as the name implied, were graded as restricted, confidential, secret or top secret and contained information not meant for public consumption.

Exposing such information to the public, it said, might have adverse effect on the security of the nation.

It reminded officers of the need to strictly adhere to the directive, adding that any officer found to contravene it, would be made to face disciplinary action accordingly.