By Peter.
Mental health professionals in Nigeria are sounding alarms over a surge in depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance abuse driven by escalating insecurity and kidnappings—exacerbated by economic hardship and hunger. Recent mass abductions in Niger, Kebbi, and Kwara states (including the November 21 attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger—303 students/teachers kidnapped, partial releases by December)—have amplified a climate of fear, with indirect trauma affecting millions beyond direct victims.
President of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN), Prof. Taiwo Obindo (University of Jos):
“Persistent insecurity creates anxiety, phobias, and PTSD—even hearing news triggers tension, poor sleep, and dysfunction. It leads to depression, hypertension from stress chemicals, reduced productivity (workers at 40% capacity), and crippled economies as people stay indoors.”
Clinical Psychologist Prof. Nkwam Uwaoma (Imo State University):
“Constant violence fuels traumatic stress, phobias, panic, and helplessness—leading to depression, social withdrawal, and drug abuse as escape. Communities become numb, losing empathy.”
Experts stress indirect impact: Family uncertainty, flashbacks from reminders, and societal ripple effects disrupt lives, work, and health—pushing vulnerable Nigerians toward substance dependence.
Context: Renewed Kidnappings & International Spotlight
November-December 2025 saw a spate of attacks:
- Papiri School (Niger): 303 abducted; ~100 freed by December, many still missing.
- Similar incidents in Kebbi (25 girls) and Kwara (church attack).
US President Donald Trump labeled violence a “Christian genocide,” threatening intervention—rejected by Nigeria as misframed (attacks affect all faiths; resource-driven banditry dominant).
Overstretched system: Nigeria’s mental health infrastructure struggles with vast treatment gaps amid rising cases.
Coping Calls: Seek Professional Help, Not Spiritual Alone
Obindo: “Notice persistent poor sleep/appetite/irritability—seek psychiatrists, not just spiritualists.” Uwaoma: Address root helplessness through support networks.
As insecurity compounds hardship, experts urge urgent psychosocial interventions—warning unchecked trauma threatens public health on a national scale.
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