PSC Seeks NDLEA Collaboration on Drug Integrity Tests for Police Recruits
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has sought the support of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in conducting drug integrity tests for prospective police recruits, as part of efforts to ensure the integrity and mental fitness of those admitted into police training colleges across the country.
Chairman of the PSC, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Hashimu Argungu, made the request during a courtesy visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), at the Agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to Argungu, the Commission is committed to a recruitment process rooted in professionalism and due diligence, which necessitates drug screening as a key criterion.
“If bad eggs are recruited, the outcome of training will be compromised. We can't afford to arm individuals who are already dependent on illicit drugs — that would be dangerous,” he warned.
He revealed that the Commission plans to decentralize the screening exercise to all states of the federation and emphasized that collaboration with the NDLEA, which has presence in every state, will be crucial in detecting drug users at the recruitment stage.
“We follow due process and procedures in everything we do. If the process is faulty, the result will be flawed. This is why we are here to seek your cooperation,” Argungu added.
In response, NDLEA Chairman, Brig Gen. Marwa (rtd), welcomed the collaboration, noting that the drug scourge continues to fuel insecurity and criminal behavior across the country. He emphasized the need for a united, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to effectively combat the menace.
“Drug abuse affects every sector of our national life. Curbing it must be a collective responsibility,” Marwa stated.
Both agencies pledged closer synergy going forward, with a shared commitment to strengthening national security through integrity-driven recruitment processes.
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