 has appealed to the NDLEA for strategic support in conducting drug integrity tests for police recruits){kind=link}
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has appealed to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for strategic support in conducting drug integrity tests for police recruits across Nigeria.
This request aims to strengthen the recruitment process and ensure that only candidates with the right mental and physical disposition are admitted into the nation’s police force.
This development was made known during a courtesy visit by the PSC management team, led by its Chairman, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Hashimu Argungu, to the headquarters of the NDLEA in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to a statement issued by NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the PSC chairman stressed the importance of integrity in the recruitment process. He noted that the collaboration with the NDLEA was essential to identifying and filtering out drug users among potential recruits before they are fully absorbed into the force.
Argungu emphasized that the commission is committed to adhering strictly to due process and professional standards in its recruitment activities. He stated, “We believe that when procedures and processes are properly followed, the outcomes will be excellent. Conversely, if the process is flawed, the end result will reflect that flaw.”
The chairman further revealed that the PSC is working toward decentralizing the screening exercise for police recruitment, enabling simultaneous screenings across all states of the federation. He, therefore, called on the NDLEA to extend its technical support through its state commands in assisting with drug tests and screenings.
“We seek your help in identifying individuals who may already be involved in substance abuse. It would be extremely dangerous to equip individuals dependent on illicit drugs with firearms and expect them to serve responsibly in law enforcement,” Argungu stated.
In response, the Chairman and Chief Executive of the NDLEA, retired Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa, welcomed the collaboration and assured the PSC of the agency’s readiness to assist.
Marwa described drug abuse as a critical national issue with far-reaching implications, including fueling insecurity and societal instability. He noted that combating the drug epidemic requires an all-hands-on-deck approach involving every segment of government and society.
Regarding the PSC’s request, Marwa said, “We are pleased by your initiative to conduct drug integrity tests for new police recruits, and we fully support it. Our agency is equipped and ready, through our nationwide network of commands, to provide accurate and reliable drug testing services.”
He added that the NDLEA possesses sophisticated testing kits capable of detecting various attempts by candidates to manipulate urine samples. “Our equipment is designed to detect such deception, ensuring that the results reflect the true status of each candidate,” he explained.
Reaffirming the agency’s commitment, Marwa concluded, “You can count on our full cooperation and partnership in this important national task.”