The Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSWN) has called on victims of terror attacks in Kogi state to speak out and seek help.
The call was made during an extensive psychosocial training for human rights defenders and victims of terror attacks in Lokoja.
Dr Yunusa Nmadu, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of CWSN admonished victims not to suppress their grief.
He tasked human rights defenders, comprising of lawyers, civil society actors, trained counsellors, media professionals, clergy and security officials to take their mental health seriously.
He stated that the relentless victimization and persecution ethno-religious minority communities in Nigeria by non-state actors have left many experiencing psychosocial issues ranging from trauma, anxiety, and depression.
He stressed that the psychosocial issues are compounded by the fact that most often, perpetrators are not brought to book.
Dr. Yunusa said CSWN has carried out psychosocial support to victims of attacks and human rights defenders in different parts of the country.
Participants were trained on how to manage anxiety, trauma, bereavement and depression. They were also exposed to existing laws and conventions on Freedom of Religion of Belief (FoRB).
They were also trained on digital skills and how to be self reliant.
The training afforded many victims to openly relive their experiences on how they were attacked, the trauma suffered, the role of government and security agencies in their travails and how some of them that were kidnapped managed to raise ransom that were paid for their release.
CSWN has rehabilitated many victims of Boko Haram, insurgency, Fulani militia and other related violence and has equipped those widowed or orphaned by this menace, among others.
