Boko Haram leaves Nigeria a lifetime of mental trauma

MAIDUGURI, Nigeri: The soldier clutched his book with both hands. He shouted his name, rank and Nigerian Army number to no-one in particular. He stood up straight and ended every reply with a bark of “sah” (sir).

But his eyes were fixed to a slowly cranking ceiling fan in the hospital ward -- the thousand yard stare of someone who had seen too much and didn’t want to remember.