Indiscriminate killing: Medical expert suggests screening of security officers

FOLLOWING rising cases of killing of innocent Nigerians by uniformed men in the country, a psychiatrist consultant with the Federal Medical College, Owo, Ondo state, Dr Adekunle Adesokan has called on the authority of military and paramilitary agencies in Nigeria to engage Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria to counsel and screen officers with personality disorders.

Dr Adesokan made this known in one of his posts on his social media accounts said the call is necessary in order to stem the unfortunate incident which has claimed the lives of innocent Nigerians.

According to him, “on the spate of needless killings by members of the uniform profession: can the top hierarchy of the uniformed professions (military and paramilitary) engage the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria with a view to an harmonious relation aimed at screening of officers with personality disorders and counsel affected officers as appropriate so that they can function optimally without recording more negative actions in the line of duty? These killings are getting too much!”

And when the new Inspector General of Police announced mandatory change in shift duties, the medical expert was also quick to commend the act as a way that will help in checking the mental health of the members of the Nigeria Police.

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His words, “With the news coming from the acting IGP as regards the change in shift duties of police officers in a bid to curtail occupational stress, it appears we now have a listening IGP. This is commendable but he shouldn’t relent in ensuring the employment of mental health specialists into the force as this will be of immense benefit to the force.”

Adesokan in his campaign towards positive acceptance of mental treatment for officers has also been in the forefront of campaign Mental  Health Bill had mobilized the public for the hearing of the bill at the Senate.

When the public hearing was about to be held last month at the Senate, Dr Adesokan canvassed support for the exercise, appealing that there are more positive impacts in getting the bill passed by the Senate on the general populace in Nigeria.

“Hearing on the Mental  Health Bill continues at the Nigerian Senate. (on Friday 29th March). We need the support of all Nigerians to get the bill passed. Our clients deserve a better deal and our practice also deserves to be standardized. Support the Mental Health Bill,” he stated.