Nigerian Army commanders have been urged to ensure that personnel struggling with psychological trauma can access professional care without fear of humiliation or unfair treatment, as the military warns that untreated mental health problems and drug abuse could compromise operational effectiveness.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, said courage and combat experience did not shield soldiers from psychological injuries arising from prolonged exposure to conflict, the loss of colleagues and separation from their families.
Shaibu, represented by the Commander, Infantry Corps, Maj.-Gen. Godwin Mutkut, spoke on Tuesday at a seminar on Warrior Ethos, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Management and Drugs/Substance Abuse at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji, Kaduna State.
“Courage does not make soldiers immune to psychological injuries,” the army chief said, stressing the need for professional treatment and rehabilitation for personnel experiencing mental health difficulties.
He called on commanders to confront the stigma associated with seeking psychological support and create an environment in which soldiers could obtain help without fear of being ridiculed or unfairly treated.
Shaibu also warned that drug and substance abuse could impair judgment, weaken discipline, undermine cohesion among troops and expose personnel to preventable dangers during military operations.
He advocated a coordinated response involving preventive education, effective supervision, early detection, medical intervention, rehabilitation and appropriate disciplinary action against substance abuse.
The army chief urged commanders to recognise that drug misuse could sometimes be linked to unresolved psychological distress, prolonged stress and other personal difficulties requiring appropriate intervention.
He said the increasingly complex security environment demanded more than physical strength and combat skills, noting that mental resilience, emotional stability and sound judgment were equally important to soldiers’ effectiveness.
Shaibu described warrior ethos as a foundation of military service, built on courage, discipline, loyalty, commitment to assigned missions and the determination not to abandon fellow soldiers.
He called on military formations and units to implement the seminar’s recommendations through improved welfare services, counselling and rehabilitation, particularly for personnel returning from prolonged or traumatic operational deployments.
The army chief added that military readiness depended on maintaining the physical and psychological well-being of personnel alongside discipline and combat preparedness.
Earlier, the Chief of Army Transformation and Innovation, Maj.-Gen. Peter Okoye, represented by his deputy, Maj.-Gen. Michael Agi, said the seminar was designed to reinforce fighting spirit, strengthen regimentation and improve cohesion among military personnel.
Okoye said the discussions on warrior ethos, psychological resilience, PTSD management and substance abuse were intended to address behavioural and psychological challenges capable of undermining military effectiveness.
He urged participants to apply the lessons from the seminar in their respective formations, units and training institutions, while commending Shaibu for approving the programme and providing the necessary resources.
The seminar, which began on October 26 and is scheduled to end on October 31, brings together military personnel and resource persons to examine the implications of psychological trauma and substance abuse for operational performance.
Shaibu also commended President Bola Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for his strategic guidance and support to the Nigerian Army.
