Security and conflict analyst, Dr. Bulama Bukarti, has described the rescue of the abducted students and teachers from Oyo State as “fantastic news,” while calling on the authorities to prioritise the victims’ psychological recovery.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, Bukarti congratulated Nigerians over what he described as a successful rescue operation.
He, however, urged the government to clarify that the victims were freed through a military operation and not by the payment of ransom.
According to him, paying ransom to kidnappers only emboldens criminal groups by providing them with the motivation, resources and equipment to carry out more abductions.
“I hope and pray that this is an actual military operation and not a negotiation where money or anything else was given to the terrorists. Paying ransom only encourages them to abduct more people, giving them the motivation, resources and equipment to carry out further attacks,” Bukarti said.
The security analyst also warned against underestimating the physical and emotional trauma experienced by the students and teachers during their 56 days in captivity.
He noted that the victims endured harsh conditions in the bush without adequate food, shelter or family support, adding that many were reportedly threatened and subjected to abuse.
“We should not gloss over the suffering of these students and teachers. They have gone through horrific experiences. If we fail to address their trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder could remain with them for the rest of their lives and even affect future generations through what is known as transgenerational trauma,” he said.
Bukarti called on the Oyo State Government to ensure the rescued victims receive comprehensive mental health and psychosocial care alongside routine medical treatment to aid their full recovery.