PSC partners NDLEA to eliminate drug addicts from police force

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has pledged to rid the Nigeria Police Force of drug addicts, describing it as dangerous to arm individuals battling substance abuse.

Chairman of the PSC, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Hashimu Argungu, made this known during a visit to the headquarters of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Abuja on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.

DIG Argungu, who led a delegation of the Commission’s officials, met with the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd), to seek the agency’s collaboration in sanitizing the police recruitment process.

According to Argungu, the PSC is committed to ensuring that only mentally and physically fit individuals are recruited into the Force.

He noted that the Commission would now involve the NDLEA in screening all prospective police recruits.

“It is dangerous to hand firearms to drug addicts.

“We are determined to flush out such officers and prevent others from entering the system.

The NDLEA’s expertise is critical in helping us achieve this goal,” Argungu stated.

He commended the NDLEA’s support in screening intakes at the Police Academy in Wudil, Kano, a move he said has significantly reduced drug abuse among cadets.

He called for an expansion of the collaboration to cover all recruitment processes.

In response, Brig. Gen. Marwa congratulated Argungu on his appointment and expressed the NDLEA’s readiness to support the Commission’s efforts.

“We will do our best to assist.

“This task, however, requires intelligence sharing, training, and sustained advocacy,” Marwa said.

He also recommended visiting police barracks and training colleges for awareness campaigns and counseling.

The visit marks a renewed commitment by the two agencies to enhance professionalism and integrity within the Nigeria Police Force.