The Nigerian Army is facing a significant challenge as soldiers on the frontline battle bandits, Boko Haram, and ISWAP terrorists, while also contending with substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and battle fatigue. This alarming situation has prompted urgent intervention from the military’s top brass.
In a recent sensitization workshop for officers and personnel of the 3 Division in Rukuba, near Jos, the Nigerian Army highlighted these critical issues. The workshop focused on the effects of drug abuse, PTSD management, and the importance of the Lessons Learned Process. PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by traumatic events, leading to symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts.
Chief of Army Staff, Toareed Lagbaja, inaugurated the event, emphasizing the relevance of the exercise. He stated that the workshop aligns with his command philosophy and is part of the Department of Transformation and Innovation’s efforts to enhance the performance of military personnel. This initiative is among several measures aimed at raising awareness about the complex security challenges in Nigeria.
Lagbaja acknowledged the enormous responsibilities these challenges impose on the Nigerian Army and its personnel. He explained that the army continually reviews its tactics, techniques, and procedures to develop both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to address these issues. The sensitization program, he said, is designed to improve the capacity of army personnel in understanding the Lessons Learned Process, thereby enhancing their operational effectiveness.
Furthermore, Lagbaja stressed the importance of rekindling the critical thinking skills of commanders and promoting creativity and responsibility among the troops. The goal is to transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped, and highly motivated force capable of fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities within a joint operational environment.
A significant focus of the workshop was addressing the troubling incidence of drug and substance abuse and PTSD among troops in active deployment. Lagbaja highlighted the need for commanders to develop innovative measures to mitigate battle fatigue, improve personnel management, and ensure combat readiness. He underscored that lessons from both mistakes and successes must be continually analyzed and applied to reduce operational costs and enhance effectiveness.
In October 2022, then-First Lady Aisha Buhari shared her personal experiences, highlighting the impact of PTSD. She recounted the challenges of living with Muhammadu Buhari, who suffered from PTSD due to his civil war experiences, prolonged detention, and multiple electoral failures. She emphasized the need for the federal government to take responsibility for the mental health care of soldiers returning from the front lines, noting that PTSD affects individuals of all ages.
Aisha Buhari’s insights, drawn from her experience as the wife of a soldier and a wellness expert, underscore the broader implications of PTSD on military families and the nation. She pointed out that her husband, a former head of state and commander-in-chief, served the Nigerian Army for 27 years, fought in the civil war for 30 months without rehabilitation, ruled Nigeria for 20 months, and was detained for 40 months without clear charges.
As the Nigerian Army confronts these mental health and substance abuse challenges, it is clear that comprehensive strategies and government support are crucial to safeguarding the well-being of soldiers and ensuring their readiness to face the ongoing security threats.
(NAN)