The Amnesty International on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to ensure that the trauma suffered by the 300 women and girls recently rescued by the Nigerian Army was not aggravated “by lengthy security screening in detention.”
The Nigerian Army had on Tuesday announced that it rescued the women and girls in an onslaught against the terrorist Boko Haram sect in the Sambisa forest in the North-East.
The AI, in a statement by its Africa Director in charge of Research and Advocacy, Netsanet Belay, asked the Federal Government to also respect the privacy of those who were either rescued or escaped from the insurgents.
“What they need now is medical and psychological care and support and privacy. The government must now ensure that it doesn’t add to their suffering with lengthy detention and security screening, which can only add to their suffering and plight. Amnesty International is calling on the authorities to ensure that their physical and psychological well-being is paramount,” it said.
The human rights group described the rescue of the women and girls as an encouraging development, stressing that immediate medical and psycho-social services should be provided for them.
The statement read, “This development is just cause for celebration and undoubtedly an immense relief to the women, girls and their families. But this is just the tip of the iceberg; there are thousands more women and girls, and men and boys who have been abducted by Boko Haram.
“The trauma suffered by the women and girls is truly horrific. Some have been repeatedly raped, sold into sexual slavery or indoctrinated and even forced to fight for Boko Haram.
“The Nigerian government should ensure that the privacy of those who were ‘rescued’ or escaped is respected and should also take other measures to ensure that they are able to reintegrate to family and community life.”
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