Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu on Friday said misuse of drugs and harmful substances impairs judgement, weakens self-control and increases risk of accidents, misconduct and operational failures among soldiers.
Shaibu stated this on Friday during a sensitisation seminar organised by the Army Headquarters Department of Transformation and Innovation for 5,209 recruits undergoing training at the Nigerian Army Depot, Osogbo, Osun state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the seminar is themed: 'Warrior Ethos, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Drug/Substance Abuse.
Represented by Maj.-Gen. Auwalu Mahmuda, the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division Nigerian Army Ibadan, Shaibu raised concerned on the destructive impact of substance abuse on military discipline, personnel welfare and operational effectiveness.
He said a soldier impaired by substance use endangers, not only himself, but also the lives of fellow personnel and the success of assigned missions.
He charged commanders at all levels, to strengthen preventive education, enforce established regulations and facilitate early intervention and rehabilitation for affected personnel.
Chief of Department of Transformation and Innovation, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Peter Okoye, said the seminar focuses on intensifying warrior ethos as it is designed to strengthen the fighting spirit of the Nigerian Army personnel.
Represented by his Deputy Chief, Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Agi, Okoye said the leadership of the Army, through such seminars, seek to transform the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force
"The seminar will rekindle a sense of regimentation to improve cohesiveness in military operations and raise awareness on the prevention of drug abuse as well as the management of post-traumatic stress disorder," he said.
He said the theme of this seminar stands as a clear reflection of the current military leadership's vision saying it aligns with the command philosophy of the COAS.
Rtd. Maj.-Gen. Charles Ofoche, in his lecture titled: "Intensifying Warriors' Ethos and Mental Toughness" told the recruits what is expected of them.
Ofoche said the values of the Nigerian Army is based on endurance, discipline, loyalty and integrity, stressing 'displine' as the foundation of the values of a Nigerian soldier.
He ask them to abstain from drugs, acquire education, as well as allow their wives to equally advance academically.
Mrs Comfort Oyebayo, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) officer who delivered a lecture on "Effects of drugs/substance abuse on Nigerian Army operational effectiveness" stated that 20 to 30 per cent of soldiers abuse drugs.
Oyebayo said they use drugs majorly because of work and combat stress, adding that it is not only personnel of the Army that abuses drugs.
She, however, admonished the participants to abstain from substance use as it can ruin their career and lives, urging the army leadership to quickly rehabilitate those noticed to be using drugs.
Rtd. Brig.-Gen. Mike Ebie, who delivered a lecture on 'Effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on Nigerian Army Operational Effectiveness" said PTSD is a trauma and stressor related mental health disorder that may develop following exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or other traumatic events.
Ebie listed causes and risks factors of PTSD and effects on military operations, giving different management solutions available to the Nigerian Army.
He said PTSD management should be regarded as an operational necessity, not merely a welfare responsibility charging the army to strengthen prevention, early identification, professional treatment post deployment recovery and the reduction of stigma.
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