The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has issued a firm warning against drug and substance abuse among Nigerian Army personnel, describing the vice as a grave threat to combat readiness and national security.
General Shaibu made the declaration on Wednesday at a seminar organised by the Department of Army Transformation and Innovation, held at the Headquarters of the 4 Special Forces in Doma, Nasarawa State.
Represented by Major General John Lar, Commander of the Army Headquarters Garrison, the COAS underscored that drug and substance abuse undermines unit cohesion and erodes operational effectiveness.
“The army has zero tolerance for drug and substance abuse. It is a twin impediment to combat readiness and a threat to national security,” he stated. “It undermines cohesion and degrades operational effectiveness. I urge commanders at all levels to intensify the fight against this menace within our barracks and formations.”
Seminar Focuses on Mental Health and Leadership
The seminar, themed “Leadership, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Drug and Substance Abuse,” was designed to foster trust, inspire soldiers with a shared vision, and equip them to adapt to an increasingly unpredictable operational environment.
General Shaibu emphasised that the programme also aims to preserve troop morale and combat readiness by addressing mental health challenges and curbing substance abuse.
He noted that the initiative specifically targets junior and middle-cadre officers, encouraging them to adopt appropriate leadership styles and values to achieve operational success.
Addressing PTSD and Transformational Leadership
The army chief highlighted that the seminar addresses transformational leadership, the management of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the devastating effects of drug abuse on personnel.
“This is designed to strengthen the leadership character, commitment and capacity for timely mental evaluation of personnel in this cadre, who constitute a major segment of the Service,” he explained.
General Shaibu stressed that effective leadership in today’s multi-agency operational environment requires commanders who not only give orders but also inspire, mentor, and genuinely care for the welfare of their subordinates.
Commitment to Operational Success
The COAS expressed confidence that the seminar would achieve its objectives, urging participants to deepen their knowledge of the issues under discussion.
He attributed the successes recorded against criminals and terrorists in the North-Central region and beyond to the loyalty, resilience, and dedication of officers and soldiers.
Earlier, Major General Peter Okoye, Chief of Transformation and Innovation, described the seminar as timely given the physical and psychological demands of modern military operations.
He noted that the programme aligns with the COAS’s command philosophy of transforming the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready, and resilient force.
“As we continue to record successes in training and operations, we must sustain and strengthen the leadership quality and mental health of personnel to enhance their cohesion and operational efficiency,” General Okoye said.
He added that transformational leadership, effective management of PTSD, and sustained efforts against drug and substance abuse remain critical to building a disciplined, resilient, and effective fighting force.