IGP Solomon Arase

Nigeria’s police boss, Solomon Arase has ordered psychological test and evaluation for all policemen bearing arms.

The test, a euphemism for psychiatric evaluation, was ordered by the Inspector General of Police following  recent extrajudicial killings by some Policemen in some parts of the country.

The tests, Arase believed would help to ensure that they are mentally and emotionally fit to perform their duties.

 According to a statement issued by ACP Olabisi Kolawole, “the exercise is aimed at eliminating cases of irregularities in handling of weapons by Policemen, as well as protecting the public whom the Police has the constitutional duty to serve, and not to continue killing innocent and law-abiding citizens”.

 The IGP disclosed that the central purpose of this exercise is to offer mental health recommendations that can help restore an officer to job fitness and deploy such Policeman to appropriate section he/she is fit to work.

 IGP Arase has, therefore, directed all Police medical doctors across the nation to conduct psychological test on all Policemen bearing firearms in their respective commands, every three months, noting that if any Police officer has a psychological condition or impairment unattended, will impact negatively on the overall performance of the Nigeria Police Force.