Recently, forces from Joint Task Force North West Operation HADARIN DAJI (OPHD) successfully neutralized a soldier, James Kingsley, after he turned violent and fatally shot his senior officer, Second Lieutenant OC Ukachuckwu.
According to Sahara Reporters, this tragic event took place at the Forward Operational Base in Magami, Sokoto, around 6:05 p.m. on a Sunday.
Following the shooting spree, which resulted in the death of Ukachuckwu, Kingsley was ultimately stopped by his fellow soldiers, resulting in his own death. Several of Kingsley’s colleagues sustained injuries during the chaos but are currently in stable condition at a local hospital. An official military signal obtained by reporters confirmed the incident.
This unfortunate incident contributes to growing concerns about the mental well-being of Nigerian soldiers, particularly those involved in the battle against terrorism in the North-East.
This event reminds us of a similar one in March 2023, when a soldier fighting Boko Haram insurgents opened fire on a fellow soldier, resulting in the death of Private Diko. Both soldiers were part of Operation Desert Sanity and joined the army in 2020.
In another separate incident in 2023, Lance Corporal Nwobodo Chinoso fatally shot the Commander of the Forward Operating Base, Rabah, in Sokoto State, Lt. Sam Oladapo, along with other colleagues before taking his own life.
These events highlight a distressing pattern, as in March 2022, another soldier shot an aid worker, (another soldier), and injured a UN helicopter co-pilot in Borno State.
The recurring occurrences of soldiers turning violent or taking their own lives raise serious concerns about the mental and psychological well-being of those engaged in the fight against Boko Haram.
Some soldiers have expressed dissatisfaction with poor welfare, extended periods in the conflict zone, and alleged mistreatment by military authorities. The lack of a rotation of duties exacerbates their struggles with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
