NBA Chairman Advocates Psychiatric Tests For Security Personnel

Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Enugu State, Chief Vernatus Odo, has advocated psychiatric tests for firearm-bearing law enforcement agents.

He suggested that there should be a legislation or administrative policy that mandates operatives of law enforcement agencies to pass through psychiatric tests before carrying firearms.

Barrister Odo who made the suggestion in an interview with LEADERSHIP Sunday in Enugu, condemned the situation whereby some operatives, including policemen, kill citizens with the guns they are supposed to use to protect them.

He lamented that extrajudicial killings by law enforcement agents with guns have continued unabated, stressing there should be periodic reexamination of those carrying guns to ensure that they are in their right minds always.

He advised that firearms should not be used by any law enforcement agencies that chase offenders, saying there is no need for such at any moment.

Odo also kicked against the use of guns to demobilise the tyres of offenders’ vehicles, describing it as severe as the bullets could go the unexpected way.

He, however, advised the police and other law enforcement agencies to get the plate numbers of offenders and track them to enable them face the full wrath of the law.

Odo further suggested that there should be severe punishment for operatives of government agencies that use guns against those they are supposed to protect.