“There is an urgent need for the rehabilitation, medical and psychological assistance for the victims of the terror group Boko Haram, who are now displaced, homeless, traumatic and psychological affected.” (Omoniyi Ogodo-Bach)

Omoniyi Ogodo-Bach, the President of Interkulturelles Haus Saar e. V., in cooperation with the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC).

Boko Haram Islamists have killed and attacked hundreds of people since 2009. Most targeted are schools, churches and students. The Islamist group has said its aim is to impose a stricter form of Sharia law across Nigeria and the creation of an Islamic state by purging the country from all western influences.

Most western countries like France, the UK and US, pledged assistance to Nigeria by training the Nigerian military and joint efforts to create a regional counter-terrorism strategy. Despite the promise from the western countries, this radical Islamist group continues their blood shed raids and attacks.

It is sad that the world watch while innocent people are been slaughtered like animals in Nigeria.

The project intends to tackle the high level of violation against human rights especially against women and children. Through the numerous attacks by the Boko Haram terror group, many people lost their lives, homes and means of livelihood. Many people became orphans, widows/widowers etc. Many schools, homes, churches, public and private institutions were completely destroyed.

Considering the deteriorating emotional, mental and psychological states of the victims’ health, there is an urgent need for intervention of psycho therapists, sociologist, psychologist, doctors and nurses.  These set of people need to be professional trained to meet the standard of treatment for the victims.

One need not to be a clinical psychologist to be able to envisage the likely psychological effects of all these on the victims regardless of whether they are benefited or not from the government or any other cooperate individuals.

Instructively, I have diligently observed and noted that agencies or organisations, be it public or private that rendered services of this nature (clinical psychology) are visually nonexistent in Nigeria.

More disturbingly, the intervention of the regional governments such as ECOWAS, European Union and other western countries seems to be exclusively focused on arresting the ugly trend of the act of terrorism while neglecting the rehabilitation of the victims whose plight have a downright potential of manifesting itself into another issue or crisis in the nearest future

The Federal government of Nigeria awarded 6 Million Naira Fund for the victims of Boko Haram attacks. Unfortunately, there was religious bias which constrained the proper distribution of the fund.

Moreover, the Nigeria Baptist Convention allocated 25 Million Naira Fund for the victims and the fund was used to rebuild schools, churches, financial assistance, distribution of food and clothing and the establishment of shelters (refugee camps) for the victims in southern part of Nigeria.

In order to tackle these problems, it is necessary to develop and establish medical and psychological centers to assist the victims.  The federal government of Nigeria only provided funds for the immediate needs of the victims but neglected to eradicate fears, psychological and traumatic problems of the victims. There is an urgent need to assist the victims in their fearful and traumatic situations. No fund has been allocated for medical and psychological assistance.