The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Osun State Command, has commenced a psychological assessment for its operatives.
The News Agency of Nigeria, quoting the command’s spokesperson, Atanda Olabisi, reported that the assessment involves NSCDC’s arms-bearing personnel and new recruits.
Olabisi who made the disclosure in a statement on Wednesday in Osogbo revealed that the assessment, which started on Tuesday, was to ascertain the mental, emotional and psychological status of the personnel.
The spokesperson said that the evaluation was being conducted in batches to give a greater opportunity for one-on-one interactions between the personnel and healthcare experts.
The spokesperson said that the command had cautioned its personnel on the handling of weapons, saying that it would not accept any excuse for accidental discharge.
“There is nothing called accidental discharge, as the process of firing a bullet entails certain fundamental principles.
“The exercise is to forestall any unprofessional act of misuse of firearms that may emanate from any uncontrolled emotional outburst.
“This assessment will also be used to determine where our new recruits will be placed professionally,” she said.
Olabisi said that the State Commandant, Emmanuel Ocheja, urged the personnel to commit themselves to the exercise, adding that Ocheja lauded the NSCDC Commandant-General, Dr. Ahmed Audi, for repositioning the corps for excellence.
According to Olabisi, Dr. Stephen Oyebode, Head of Forensic and Psychological Services Unit, NSCDC, Osun Command, had given the assurance that the unit would offer psychotherapy and psycho-social interventions to personnel who might need assistance after the evaluation.
NAN
