The Nigerian Army is scrambling to save several soldiers on the frontline of the war against bandits, Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists who are grappling with substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder and battle fatigue.

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 country’s democratic ruler.

The army stated this during a sensitisation workshop for officers and men of its 3 Division, Rukuba, near Jos, 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 Toareed Lagbaja described the exercise as apt.

Mr Lagbaja said the sensitisation was in line with his command’s philosophy. He explained that the exercise,  organised by its Department of Transformation and Innovation, aimed at enhancing performance among personnel.

“This sensitisation programme is one of the many measures emplaced to raise the necessary awareness in troops on the myriads of complex security challenges in Nigeria.

”The challenges impose enormous responsibility on the Nigerian army as well as the officers and men. In line with these expectations, the Nigerian army has continued to review its tactics, techniques and procedures in order to come up with both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to defeat these challenges.

”This programme is, therefore, premised on the need to improve the capacity of our personnel toward understanding the Nigerian army Lessons Learned Process,” he said.

Mr Lagbaja said the exercise also sought to rekindle the critical thinking skills of all commanders through creativity and the men’s 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.

“Also, to look at the prevailing incidents of drug and substance abuse, as well as PTSD, among troops deployed in theatres of operation is quite worrisome.

“It will also look at troops’ awareness on the effects and management of drug, substance abuse and PTSD, all in a bid to enhance combat effectiveness,” added Mr Lagbaja.

The army chief added, “Accordingly, commanders at all levels must continue to come up with innovative measures to upscale their approaches toward reducing battle fatigue, improve man-management and battle readiness.

“Lessons must continually be identified and included in our day-to-day planning processes; these lessons can be derived from both mistakes and successes and, thus, must be properly analysed and applied in order to reduce operational cost.”

Ms 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 Nigeria’s Armed Forces, to tell him that he is wrong is the first mistake you will make.” 

She added. “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.”

“My husband served the Nigerian Army for 27 years before he was overthrown in a coup d’état. 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,” Ms Buhari stressed. 

Ms Buhari stated that “being a soldier’s wife or a retired soldier’s wife and a wellness expert, I understand the challenges associated with PTSD and its impact on military families and the nation.”

(NAN)