One in five Police officers battling psychological distress, study reveals

A new study has revealed disturbing levels of stress and mental health challenges among personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, with nearly one in five officers suffering psychological distress and more than half experiencing sleep-related problems.

A Consultant Psychiatrist at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Prof. Bibilola Oladeji, disclosed this while presenting findings from a research project titled “Development of a Model Intervention for Stress Prevention, Management and Coping Mechanisms among Police Officers in Nigeria” at the Police Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.

The study, which surveyed 1,264 officers across Oyo, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, and Nasarawa states, found that 22.9 per cent experienced psychological distress, while five per cent had depression and three per cent suffered anxiety disorders.

Oladeji said the findings confirm that many officers work under intense pressure, often without adequate support systems.

She noted that major operational stressors include excessive overtime, fear of injury, exposure to traumatic incidents, fatigue from shift work, headaches, and back pain.

Organisational challenges such as staff shortages, inadequate equipment, poor training opportunities, and uneven workload distribution were also identified as key contributors.

According to her, stress levels among Nigerian police officers were significantly above internationally accepted thresholds.

“Virtually all the stress indicators we measured were above the threshold for high stress. This shows that many of our officers are operating under very difficult conditions,” she said.

The research, funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and conducted between 2023 and 2025, also tested a peer-led stress management programme in Oyo State.

Selected officers were trained to support colleagues through stress education, relaxation techniques, problem-solving skills, and mental health awareness. The intervention recorded positive outcomes, with participants reporting improved emotional control and better coping strategies.

Oladeji said many officers had never received formal stress-management support throughout their careers, quoting a participant who said, “In my 13 years in the police, this is the first time anybody has come to talk to us about stress.”

She called on the Federal Government and the Nigeria Police Force to prioritise mental health by institutionalising stress-management programmes, strengthening the Police Medical Services, increasing mental health personnel, and introducing routine psychological screening.

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She stressed that officers’ well-being is essential to public safety, noting that stress affects performance, decision-making, public trust, and national security.

The study further recommended increased recruitment to address manpower shortages, improved equipment and resources, and reforms to reduce workplace pressures within the force.

Researchers warned that without urgent intervention, occupational stress would continue to undermine officers’ effectiveness and well-being.

Leader of the research team, Prof. Ademola Ajuwon, said the study, approved by the National Research Ethics Committee and the Inspector General of Police in 2023 and completed in 2025, confirmed that occupational stress is a daily reality for officers.

He added that the pilot programme demonstrated that officers can effectively deliver peer-based stress management when properly trained and supported.

Responding, Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to personnel welfare while ensuring operational efficiency.

Speaking through the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Salaudeen Isiaka, he stressed the importance of proper stress management among officers.

He acknowledged that officers face genuine operational pressures but warned that stress complaints must not be used as an excuse to avoid duty.

He also highlighted existing welfare and medical support systems within the command, noting that police medical teams regularly monitor personnel’s well-being through routine checks and interventions.

The CP directed full implementation of all issued welfare guidelines and urged officers to maintain professionalism while adopting healthier coping mechanisms.