The Nigeria PoliceForce will henceforth carry out snap urine
tests on all policemen for signs of drug abuse before they are issued lethal
weapons, according to the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase. He said
this may also be done at their operational points.
Arase stated that apart from retrieving their weapons,
culprits would be provided appropriate help to wean them from drugs or other
emotional or psychological issues that may trigger fatal outcomes in their line
of
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| IGP, Arase |
He disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during the launch of
drug testing of police officers and campaign against sudden death of police
officers organised in collaboration with Hypertension and Diabetes Awareness
Foundation.
Arase said the police had attracted public odium from
misapplication of weapons which he said could be due to mishandling of firearms
by police officers who were psychologically unfit to handle weapons at that
particular time.
He said: "Some of these psychological problems could
also have resulted from drug abuse by few of our men. We have therefore decided
that the medical assessment of persons we recruit into the police force will
include a psychological assessment.
"In addition, effective immediately, we will carry out
snap urine tests for signs of drug abuse on all policemen before we issue any
lethal weapons to them or at their operational points. We are in partnership
with a reputable group of psychiatrists and psychologists in this
project."
The police said he had initiated a policing strategy that
would make the Nigeria Police transition from exclusive reliance on lethal
weapons in management of threats and social disorders to the engagement of less
lethal weapon system such as electro-muscular disruption weaponry known as
taser or stun gun.
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