Security expert Matthew Ibadin has warned officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces and allied nations that uncontrolled reactions could cost them their careers, relationships and, in extreme cases, their freedom.

Ibadin, President of Security Resources & Risk Management Academy, Lagos, gave the warning while delivering a lecture to 436 participants of Senior Course 48 at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna State.

The participants comprised officers of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, as well as officers from eight friendly nations.

Ibadin, who is also a doctoral researcher at the Nigerian Defence Academy and the University of Abuja, spoke on “Emotional Discipline Under Pressure and Anger Management for Staff Officers.”

Describing uncontrolled rage as “a temporary madness that leaves a permanent record,” he warned that one impulsive reaction could have consequences far beyond the moment.

“The line between a respected officer and an inmate is thinner than you can imagine,” he said. “Anger may enter the room, but must never take command.”

Using the behaviour of lions to illustrate restraint, Ibadin said officers should distinguish between genuine threats and situations that do not require confrontation.

“Many of us have become male lions in uniform — fighting juniors, spouses, traffic and minor disagreements even when no real threat exists. That constant agitation slowly destroys what you have built,” he said.

He urged the officers to “be a female lion in strategy and a male lion only when tactically necessary.”

Ibadin said poor judgment could affect an officer’s health, family, career and professional decisions.

He cautioned that conflicts at home could impair performance at the command post, while impulsive signatures on operational orders, procurement documents or personnel assessments could lead to inquiries, career setbacks and mission failure.

“At Jaji, your rank commands respect, but at home your rank is irrelevant. If you win at the office and lose at home, you have lost,” he said.

He also noted that some people serving prison terms for murder had not initially intended to kill but acted recklessly in moments of uncontrolled rage.

To help officers manage pressure, Ibadin introduced the 90-Second Rule and the S.T.O.P. Protocol — Stop, Take a Breath, Observe and Proceed with Discipline — alongside the 4-4-4 breathing technique.

He also cited Aristotle’s five tests for a measured response: the right person, right reason, right time, right degree and right manner.

Ibadin urged the officers to pause before reacting, particularly when their decisions could affect lives, careers and national security.