The Nigerian Army is scrambling to save several soldiers on the frontline of the war against bandits, Boko Haram and Islamic State for West Africa Province, (ISWAP) terrorists, who are grappling with substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, (PTSD) and battle-fatigue.
The Army stated this during a sensitisation workshop for officers and men of its 3 Division, Rukuba, near Jos, Plateau State, on: “The effect of drug abuse, PTSD management and Lesson-Learned Process“.
PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by a terrifying event either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
Declaring the event open on Thursday in Jos, Chief Army of Staff (COAS), Toareed Lagbaja, described the exercise as apt, saying the sensitisation was in line with his Commands philosophy.
Lagbaja explained that the exercise, organised by its Department of Transformation and Innovation, aimed at enhancing performance among personnel.
The COAS said the exercise also sought to rekindle the critical thinking skills of all commanders through creativity and the mens responsibility, which is in line with his command philosophy. He said it was aimed at transforming the Nigerian army into a well-trained, equipped, and highly motivated force capable of achieving its constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment.
Recall that in October 2022, then-First Lady Aisha Buhari lamented that she endured several years living with Muhammadu Buhari, who struggled with PTSD following his civil war experience, detention and several electoral failures to become the countrys democratic ruler.
Mrs. Buhari explained that she suffered the consequences of PTSD, because having gone through all these, and at the age of 19, to handle somebody who was a former head of state and commander-in-chief of Nigerias Armed Forces, to tell him that he is wrong is the first mistake you will make.
My husband served the Nigerian Army for 27 years before he was overthrown in a coup dtat. He fought the civil war for 30 months without rehabilitation. He ruled Nigeria for 20 months and was detained for 40 months without disclosing the nature of his offence, Mrs. Buhari stressed, adding that it made her a soldiers wife, a retired soldiers wife and a wellness expert; I understand the challenges associated with PTSD and its impact on military families and the nation, she stated.
Therefore, fundraising is not the solution; the solution is for the Federal Government that sends them to the war front to take responsibility for taking care of the mental health of returnees from the war front. PTSD cuts across all ages, she emphasised.
