Gov’t introduces mental health and drug tests for security recruits amid suicide concerns – Interior Minister

The Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, announced that mental health assessments and drug testing will be introduced into medical screening for security service recruits. This decision comes after concerns were raised about drug use among personnel and suicide cases within the security services. Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, October 12, the minister explained that these new requirements were identified during a review of existing medical screening standards, which had not previously included mental health assessments or drug tests.

The government's decision to incorporate the additional checks stemmed from observations that some serving officers were grappling with drug-related issues, leading to questions about how certain individuals had passed the recruitment process. Mr Muntaka emphasized the importance of early identification of potential challenges to strengthen the recruitment process. He also cited suicide cases among security personnel in 2025 and 2026 as a key reason for the intervention.

In response to these concerns, the government will now require security agencies to establish dedicated welfare desks to provide closer attention to officers facing difficulties, including those with mental health and drug-related challenges. The minister stressed that personnel welfare must extend beyond conventional support arrangements to ensure that officers struggling with these issues can be identified and receive appropriate assistance.

Mr Muntaka highlighted the growing concern over drug-related activities among young people, noting that the Narcotics Control Commission conducted over 2,117 drug education programs nationwide in 2025. These programs reached various institutions, such as basic and secondary schools, churches, mosques, and organized groups, complementing the commission's enforcement activities with public education efforts.

However, the minister expressed particular concern about an emerging trend in which secondary school students were allegedly involved in selling drugs within their schools. Drawing a comparison to past practices where pupils secretly sold sweets in classrooms, Mr Muntaka emphasized the shift in which some students were now directly engaging in drug sales rather than merely receiving them from outsiders.