PTSD, Drug Abuse Undermine Combat Readiness – COAS Pushes Digital Transformation for Smart Soldier Initiative
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has identified Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and drug abuse as major threats to the Nigerian Army’s combat readiness, calling for urgent digital transformation to strengthen operational efficiency and troop resilience.
The COAS made the disclosure on Friday in Makurdi at a seminar organised by the Army Headquarters Department of Transformation and Innovation, themed “Digital Transformation and the Smart Soldier Concept: PTSD and Drug/Substance Abuse.”
Represented by the Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke, Maj. Gen. Moses Gara, Shaibu stressed that the evolving security landscape requires a holistic operational approach. He noted that PTSD and drug abuse have emerged as dual threats capable of undermining morale, resilience and overall operational effectiveness.
He described the seminar as a clear demonstration of the Army’s commitment to operational readiness and sound administration, adding that digital technology must be fully harnessed to enhance combat effectiveness in line with his command philosophy of building a professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force.
According to him, the dynamic nature of modern warfare demands the integration of technology into all aspects of military operations, particularly in executing the critical “find, fix and strike” functions against adversaries. He added that digital tools also have broad applications in logistics, support services and routine administrative processes.
Shaibu emphasised the need to equip personnel with both physical capacity and conceptual knowledge to operate effectively in an increasingly digitised battlespace. He urged participants to maximise the seminar to deepen their understanding of identifying and addressing PTSD and substance abuse within the ranks.
In his welcome address, the Chief of Transformation and Innovation, Maj. Gen. Olusegun Abai, represented by Maj. Gen. Ime Bassey, said the seminar’s theme was timely given the psychological, physical and technological pressures of contemporary warfare.
Abai explained that the initiative aligns with the COAS command philosophy, which places the soldier at the centre of reforms—empowered by advanced technology while protected from mental and physical health challenges.
He acknowledged the Army’s successes against banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities, but stressed that such gains must be consolidated through digital integration and the smart soldier concept to improve situational awareness and real-time decision-making.
The Army, he disclosed, is actively pursuing digital transformation through technology-driven inspection systems, data analytics, real-time reporting platforms, artificial intelligence-enabled solutions and partnerships on indigenous technology development to boost accountability and combat power.
He added that the seminar was deliberately structured to tackle rising cases of PTSD and drug abuse through awareness creation, early intervention mechanisms, counselling services and strengthened support systems within the force.
