In a distressing turn of events, troops from the Joint Task Force North West Operation HADARIN DAJI (OPHD) have fatally shot a soldier, James Kingsley, who went berserk and killed his senior officer in Sokoto.
The officer, identified as OC Ukachuckwu (N/19548), a Second Lieutenant, fell victim to Kingsley’s unexpected rampage at the Forward Operational Base in Magami, Sokoto, around 6:05 pm on Sunday.
Despite the swift response from fellow soldiers, James Kingsley was neutralized after the shocking incident, leaving some of his colleagues injured but currently in stable condition at the hospital.
The military signal obtained by SaharaReporters detailed the grim incident and the subsequent actions taken by Major MD Mikaailu.
Public concerns over the mental health of Nigerian soldiers have heightened, especially those fighting terrorists in the North-East.
This tragic event follows a series of disturbing incidents, including a soldier opening fire on a colleague in March 2023 and another soldier shooting a commander in 2023, leading to increased questions about the mental and psychological support provided to soldiers on the front lines.
The recurring nature of such cases prompts serious concerns about the adequacy of mental health and psychological treatment for soldiers engaged in the fight against Boko Haram.
Some soldiers have spoken out about poor welfare, prolonged deployments, and mistreatment by the military hierarchy, citing struggles with depression and post-traumatic disorder.
