Mr. Paul Ayeni, a retired Corps Commandant (CC) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has proposed the implementation of mandatory psychiatric assessments for prospective househelps before their employment. Speaking to Newsmen in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Ayeni addressed the recurring issue of crimes committed by househelps, emphasizing the necessity of addressing this challenge.

Ayeni highlighted the lack of attention given to the issue, noting that many Nigerians still hire individuals they are not familiar with as househelps. He condemned a recent tragic incident in Lagos where a woman was fatally stabbed by her househelp, attributing such occurrences to negligence in conducting thorough background checks before hiring.

According to Ayeni, the failure to conduct proper background checks has consistently led to dire consequences. He emphasized the crucial role of parents as the best caregivers for children and advised couples to devise effective plans for childcare until their children reach maturity.

However, in situations where hiring a house help is unavoidable, Ayeni stressed the importance of conducting comprehensive background checks on potential employees. He suggested initiating the screening process by verifying the candidate's criminal record with the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).

Ayeni also recommended taking prospective househelps to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Forensic Laboratory to check for any involvement in illicit drugs. He highlighted the link between drug abuse and the commission of violent crimes.

Furthermore, Ayeni underscored the significance of mental health assessments in preventing crimes. He urged employers to seek psychiatric evaluations to assess the psychological well-being of prospective househelps.

In conclusion, Ayeni appealed to employers to exercise caution and refrain from hastily hiring house helps, considering the alarming rate of tragic incidents involving domestic workers.

Naijamatta is a social networking site,

download Naijamatta from Google play store or visit www.naijamatta.com to register. You can post, comment, do voice and video call, join and open group, go live etc. Join Naijamatta family, the Green app.