Kwara Governor Sounds Alarm on Mental Health Crisis Among Nigeria's Security Forces

Date: 2025-08-01

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and leading medical experts have sounded the alarm over escalating mental health crises among Nigeria's security personnel, citing job-related pressures as a critical threat to national stability.

The warning was issued during a landmark conference in Ilorin on Thursday, organised by the Peace Progress and Unity Global Initiative (PPUGI) under the theme "Breaking the Silence: Mental Health Support for Our Protectors." Governor AbdulRazaq stressed: "Our security forces bear invisible wounds. Ignoring their mental wellbeing compromises both their safety and public security."

Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Dr Ahmed Bola Abdulquadri, reinforced the urgency: "Security operatives face extreme psychological stress from daily exposure to violence and trauma. Without intervention, burnout, depression, and operational failures will escalate."

The event, attended by military, police, and paramilitary leaders, called for mandatory mental health screenings, trauma counselling, and policy reforms to destigmatise seeking help a first step toward safeguarding those who protect Nigeria.

"Mental health has become like an epidemic among security personnel," he said adding that "This is what sometimes leads to accidental discharge or the shooting of colleagues".

Dr Abdulquadri cited global statistics indicating that up to 250 million people will become depressed this year, with women being more than twice as likely to be affected.

"Unfortunately, less than 25 percent of them have access to quality mental health care," he added.

He stressed the need for supportive policies, stigma-free access to mental health services, and a system that encourages security agents to seek help without fear.

"Encouraging help-seeking behaviour and protecting the rights of personnel is better than relying solely on resilience. A proactive approach will lead to a healthier and more effective security force," he said.

He also recommended work-life balance strategies such as job prioritisation, frequent breaks, physical exercise, social interaction, adequate sleep, and fighting stigma.

Also speaking, Prof Abdallah Yusuf, the UITH CMD, represented by the Head of Medical Psychology Therapy, Dr Tajudeen Abiola, called for increased government funding to improve both the physical and mental well-being of security personnel.

He urged the establishment of counseling centres backed by solid research and data.

"Such centres will go a long way to enhance mental health access for security agents. The personnel also need to take care of one another," he said.

Governor AbdulRazaq, represented by his Counselor and Advisor, Saad Salau, described mental health as a critical issue affecting everyone, especially security personnel.

"Mental health for personnel is a security concern. It can affect their performance, relationships, and overall well-being," he noted.

"Untreated issues can lead to reduced productivity, more mistakes, and strained relationships," he added.

Kwara State Commissioner for Social Development, Dr Nafatimah Imam, highlighted the intersection between social development and mental well-being.

"This gathering sheds light on the growing importance of social development in promoting mental health within the community, workplace, family, and economy," she said.

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Saliu Ajibola Ajia     COVID     KWACOBPA     Pacify Labs     Umar Yakubu Jaja     Rotimi Atere     Albert Ogunsola     Yahaya Seriki Gambari     Aminu Adisa Logun     Owu Fall     Ilorin Water Reticulation     RTEAN     Surajudeen Akanbi     Omoniyi M. Ayinla     Congress For National Consensus     Ahmad Uthman     Abdulwaheed Musa     Kwara 2015     Sarah Jubril     Public Holiday     Saliu Mustapha     Saraki     Ridwan Agboola     Kwara North     National Union Of Road Transport Workers     Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission     Halimah Perogi     Saka Aleshinloye     Rachael Obisesan     Ridhwanullah Al-Ilory     Funmilayo Isiaka Oniwa     Igosun     Ilorin East     Oba Abu     Lawal Jimoh     Abdulkarim Adisa     Iliasu     Sai Kayi     Okasanmi Ajayi     Ilorin Emirate Stakeholders Forum     Abdulkadir Orire     Imodoye Writer’s Enclave     Egbewole     Adebayo Salami     Hamid Bobboyi     Durosinlohun Kawu     Toyin Abdullahi     Bursary     Yetunde Balogun     Kwarareports.com     Amos Sayo     Ilesha-Gwanara     COEASU     Yoruba     Michael Nzekwe     Kwara State Sports Commission     Jimoh Bashir     Musa Abdullahi     Fatai Adeniyi Garba     Idowu Laro     Hassan Abdulazeez Elewu     General Hospital, Ilorin     Lola Olabayo     Okin Group     IYA YUSUF     Ishaq Oloyede     Tope Daramola     Ella Supreme Tissue Paper     Bolaji Abdullahi     Soffiyyallah Kamaldeen     Harmony Holdings     Abdulfatai Baakini     Aremu Bose Deborah     Yunus Oniboki     Kale Bayero     Toyin Olayinka Tejidini     Adanla-Irese    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Kola Adesina     Earlyon Technologies     Sulyman Tejidini     Kisira     Habeeb Abdullahi Al-Ilory     Olabanji Orilonishe     Ile Arugbo     Quran     Awodun     Hausa     Abegunde Goke     Ganmo Electricity Sub-Station     Ayeyemi Sulaiman     Oko-Olowo     Saraki     Ademola Kiyesola     MalHub     Sunday Popo-Ola     Surajudeen Akanbi     Universal Basic Education Commission     RTEAN     Www.Kwarareports.com     Abubakar Baba     Hassan A. Saliu     IYA YUSUF     Okeose Christian Cementary     Nigerian Correctional Service     Kwara 2023     Oyun     Tunde Mukaila Mustapha     Abdullahi Samari     Lanwa     Saliu Alamoyo     Taofeeq Olateju     Owu Fall     Young Progressives Party     Alfa Modibo Belgore     Sadiq Buhari     Frootify     Modibbo Kawu     Bello Bature     Saidu Kawu     Ishola Balogun Fulani     NURTW     Kola Bukoye     Rabiu Kwankwaso     Sobi     Nagode     Computer Based Test     KW-GIS     Shaykh Luqman Jimoh     Rotimi Atere     Ekiti     Atiku     Bureau Of Lands     Ilesha-Baruba     Shettima Of Ilorin     Mohammed Abdulahi     Economic And Financial Crimes Commission     A.O. Belgore     Kayode Yusuf     Raliat Elelu-Habeeb     Ilorin Anchor Men And Women     Baruten     Adedayo Yusuf Abdulkareem     Adolescent Girls Initiative For Learning And Empowerment     Peter Amogbonjaye     ER-KANG Mining     Abdulrasaq Alaro     Umar Bayo Abdulwahab     Emir Of Lafiagi     Alfa Belgore     Muhammed Aliyu     Garba Dogo     Oluronke Adeyemi     Owode Market     Reuben Paraje