By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The Nigerian Army (NA) has commenced sensitization awareness lecture on Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) starting with personnel of 8 Division.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya represented by General Officer Commanding 8 Division NA, Major General Godwin Mutkut, while declaring the sensitization lecture open, stated that the sensitization has become necessary due to long deployment of troops for Internal Security Operations alongside other security agencies to tackle various threats.
A statement issued on Monday by Major Mantip Zahkom, Deputy Directors, Army Public Relations, Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai, Theater Command, said the deployment of troops in various operations has exerted significant pressure on them with the resultant effect of high casualty rates, injuries, damage to equipment and accumulated stress as well as other mental health related disorders.
He said it is in recognition of this challenges in line with his philosophy that he directed the Department of Transformation and Innovation Army to go round all NA formations and units to sensitize personnel of the preventive measures to overcome PTSD.
He said this is with view of ensuring professionalism in the NA and encourage troops to step up their efforts in dealing with various crimes.
He urged personnel to be their brothers keepers while in operational areas and report any signed of discomfort among their pears for immediate intervention by commanders. He further stated that when this are closely monitored it will drastically reduce misconduct and avoid incidents among troops while in various theatres.
In his welcome address the Chief of Transformation and Innovation Army, Major General Zakari Abubakar stated that the sensitization is meant to educates personnel on issues leading to traumatic experience in the battle field, casualty factors and symptoms of PTSD.
Maj. Gen. Abubakar said when troops stay long in theatre they will be exposed to accumulated Stress, traumatic disorder which sometimes manifested in their action, adding that “if the growing stress is unattended to, it could lead to PTSD and thus affect the moral and physical components of fighting power.
He said the sensitization lecture will afford the Department to interact with officers and soldiers and proffer solutions on how to ameliorate the PTSD among personnel.
He therefore, urged personnel to bring their experiences so as to assist the department in coming out with a strategic solution on how to address the challenges of PTSD.
The two lectures delivered were “Combat Stress and Operational Efficiency: NA CTCOIN operations in perspective”, delivered by Major General JJ Ogunlade (rtd) and “Management of PTSD: The Roles of Commanders”, delivered by Lieutenant Colonel S Di.
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