Accidental discharge: Read what the IGP has ordered
– Police boss has ordered drug abuse test for officers issued firearms
– The move is aimed at reducing number of deaths through accidental discharge
Arase orders drug abuse test for policemen
Following increased cases of deaths from accidental discharge, Solomon Arase, the inspector general of police has said that men of the force will now undergo snap urine test before they are issued firearms.
The Nation reports that Arase stated this in Abuja on Wednesday, April 6 at the launch of drug testing campaign against sudden death of police officer organised in collaboration with the Hypertension and Diabetes Awareness Foundation.
The IGP said that apart from denying officers who failed the test access to firearms, the force would wean them from drugs or other psychological problems.
He noted that the killing of Nigerians from misapplication of firearms by policemen had made the public to cast aspersions on the police.
“After an in-depth study, my team and I have found out that some of these fatal cases could be due to mishandling of firearms by police officers who are psychologically unfit to handle firearms at that time.
“We have therefore decided that the medical assessment of persons we recruit into the police Force will include a psychological assessment,” he said.
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He said that some of these psychological problems could also have resulted from drug abuse by few of the officers adding that the force had also initiated a policing strategy that would witness the transition of the police from relying on firearms to manage social disorders.
“Orders have been placed for this weaponry and adequate training framework is being put in place. My long term vision is to effectively address issues that engender misuse of firearms and give true meaning to our mandate of safeguarding the lives of our citizens.
“I encourage all men to come forward for health screening. Our medical section is well positioned to manage any health problems our officers and men may have,” he said.
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Adenike Abuwa, the force medical officer, said that the initiative was aimed at further protecting the lives of Nigerians from accidental discharge by police officers.
“In line with global best practices, this programme has been organised to educate police officers on healthy lifestyle and regular medical checkup.
“This initiative will ensure prompt identification and management of conditions that lead to non-communicable diseases among the police community,” she said.
Meanwhile, there was commotion in Festac Town Lagos following the killing of two fuel black marketers by a task force made of police and civil defence officials.
The killing of the marketers occurred around 1 p.m at the Forte oil petrol station also known as AP bus stop located a 21 Road I close.
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