HEALTH

RISING POLICE SUICIDES: A LOOMING MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN NIGERIA
ESSENTIA NEWS | APRIL 13, 2025
Nigeria’s police force is facing a silent epidemic — a sharp rise in suicides among its officers, revealing a deepening mental health crisis in the nation’s security system.
In March 2025, tragedy struck in Ogun State when Inspector Ajele Oloyede, attached to the 78 PMF unit in Zamfara, ended his own life while on special duty at a ceramics company in Igbesa, Ado-Odo/Ota.
This is just one among many.
Across ranks and regions, officers are dying by suicide, often without warning — a troubling trend cutting through the heart of the police force. From young constables to senior inspectors, the pattern points to growing psychological distress, worsened by long hours, exposure to violence, poor welfare, and the stigma surrounding mental health.
Though the issue is not new, the urgency is escalating. Without a structured mental health support system, officers are left to navigate trauma and stress alone — often in silence.
Experts are sounding the alarm: Nigeria needs a nationwide response — with mental health screenings, on-duty counseling access, and policies that prioritize emotional well-being in the force.
Because those who risk their lives to protect others should never feel unprotected themselves.
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