The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has inaugurated a mental health awareness and coaching workshop for more than 100 police officers in Abuja to strengthen their emotional resilience, professional judgement and operational effectiveness.

Disu, represented by the Force Medical Director, AIG Nkechi Eze, declared the workshop open on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026.

The workshop is coordinated by the Department of Training and Development in partnership with Awesome Valley Consult Ltd and the Directorate of Force Medical Services.

In his remarks delivered by Eze, the IGP emphasised early identification of mental health concerns, timely intervention and appropriate referral for professional care.

He noted that the demanding nature of police work required practical coping skills and accessible support systems to enable officers to seek assistance without fear of stigma.

Disu stressed that recognising signs of stress, burnout and emotional distress in oneself and colleagues was essential to maintaining a healthy workforce and ensuring professional service delivery.

The lead facilitator, Maimuna Ummi Abdullahi, popularly known as Coach Diddi, who is a mental health and emotional resilience coach and Team Lead of Awesome Valley Consult Ltd, highlighted the importance of coaching for officers routinely exposed to high-pressure and potentially traumatic situations.

Abdullahi explained that mental health coaching promoted self-awareness, stress management, emotional resilience, healthy coping strategies, early help-seeking and peer support.

She clarified that coaching complemented, rather than replaced, clinical assessment and treatment, helping officers recognise when professional care was necessary.

More than 100 officers drawn from the Counter Terrorism Unit, Police Mobile Force, Special Protection Unit, Directorate of Force Medical Services, Intelligence Response Team, Special Intervention Squad, Special Tactical Squad and police divisions within the Federal Capital Territory are participating in the workshop.

Senior officers at the event included CP Aina Adesola, CP L. Ibrahim and CP M. Umar.

Also speaking, DIG Isyaku Mohammed, mni, reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to sustained, practical and needs-based training in collaboration with the Directorate of Force Medical Services to deepen mental health awareness and connect personnel with appropriate support.

The IGP reiterated that personnel welfare remained central to the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to professionalism and effective service delivery.

He emphasised that officers must be physically fit, mentally resilient and adequately supported to discharge their duties effectively.

Disu urged personnel to prioritise their mental health, seek assistance early and support colleagues experiencing emotional or psychological difficulties, while upholding discipline, sound judgement and respect for the public.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, announced this in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday.