Abuja Police Order Mental Health Test For All Officers
The Commissioner of Police for the FCT Command, Ahmed Sanusi, has ordered a comprehensive psychological and mental health assessment for all personnel under the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja.
The directive is part of efforts to strengthen discipline, professionalism, and operational efficiency within the command.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, the decision followed an emergency meeting with top officers, including Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers.
The exercise will commence on Monday, May 4, 2026, starting with junior officers.
The Commissioner directed the Commandโs Medical Director, Ifayase Olabanji Akinola, alongside the Police Counselling Unit, to oversee the process.
The goal is to improve:
Emotional stability
Decision-making ability
Overall performance on and off duty
Sanusi also issued a firm warning against indiscipline, urging officers to uphold professionalism and respect human rights laws while carrying out their duties.
Senior officers have been instructed to brief their teams and submit compliance reports, with supervisors held accountable for misconduct under their watch.
The move comes amid growing public concern over police behavior, especially following a viral incident in Delta State involving the alleged killing of a suspect by an officer.
This initiative signals a push toward accountability, better welfare, and behavioral reform within the force.
If properly implemented, the policy could:
Improve public trust in policing
Reduce cases of excessive force
Promote better mental health support for officers
It reflects increasing recognition that effective policing depends not just on training, but also on the psychological well-being of officers.