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The release of 27 schoolchildren held captive for over 50 days in Oyo State has brought to the fore the often-overlooked physical and psychological toll of kidnapping. Sunday Vanguard spoke to the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof. Afekhide Ernest Omoti, on the hidden health consequences of kidnapping, why survivors require urgent medical and psychological care, and what government, families, and communities must do to support their recovery.
Prof. Afekhide Ernest Omoti, the President of NMA, is a renowned medical expert with a wealth of experience in the field of trauma-informed care. As a professor of medicine, he has published numerous papers on the topic of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its effects on individuals and communities.
From a medical perspective, the period immediately after release from captivity is critical. Survivors of kidnapping require comprehensive medical and psychological assessment because many of the effects of captivity are not immediately obvious. Even if survivors appear physically well, they should never be assumed to have fully recovered. Psychological symptoms may emerge days or even weeks after release, making continued medical and mental health follow-up an essential part of their recovery.
The immediate health concerns include untreated wounds, fractures, bruises, soft tissue injuries, and complications resulting from physical assault. Some injuries may have become infected or healed improperly during captivity. Depending on the conditions under which they were held, survivors may also suffer dehydration, malnutrition, electrolyte imbalance, weight loss, and nutritional deficiencies due to inadequate food and water.
Sexual and gender-based violence is another important concern. Where there is any suspicion or disclosure of sexual assault, survivors should receive prompt, confidential, and trauma-informed medical care. This includes treatment of injuries, testing, and preventive treatment for sexually transmitted infections where indicated, while respecting the survivor’s dignity, privacy, and informed consent.
Mental wounds are just as critical as physical ones. Kidnapping is a profoundly traumatic experience, and its psychological impact can persist long after an individual regains freedom. The nature and severity of the trauma vary depending on the duration of captivity, the conditions endured, exposure to violence, and the survivor’s previous mental health and coping abilities.
Many survivors experience acute stress reactions in the first hours or days after release. They may appear emotionally numb, confused, withdrawn, tearful, hypervigilant, or easily startled, while some may have difficulty concentrating or recalling aspects of their ordeal. Anxiety and persistent fear are also common, with many survivors remaining afraid that they could be abducted again, making them reluctant to leave their homes or resume normal activities.
Sleep disturbances, including insomnia and recurrent nightmares, are frequent. Some survivors develop depression characterized by persistent sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest in normal activities, and social withdrawal. Others may experience survivor’s guilt, especially if fellow captives were harmed or remain in captivity.
Mental health assessment should begin as soon as possible after release, ideally within the first 24 to 72 hours once the survivor is medically stable. The initial assessment should identify acute psychological symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Released kidnap victims should therefore be multidisciplinary, involving emergency physicians, family physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, and other relevant specialists. Recovery extends beyond treating visible injuries and requires coordinated physical, emotional, and social support.
The care of released kidnap victims in Nigeria urgently needs a coordinated rehabilitation programme that addresses both physical and psychological trauma. This programme should be led by experts in trauma-informed care and should involve a multidisciplinary team of medical and mental health professionals.
Prof. Omoti emphasizes that Nigeria urgently needs a coordinated rehabilitation programme to support the recovery of released kidnap victims. This programme should be led by experts in trauma-informed care and should involve a multidisciplinary team of medical and mental health professionals.
Every rescued kidnap victim should undergo thorough medical and mental health assessment, the warning signs families should never ignore, and why Nigeria urgently needs a coordinated rehabilitation programme to support their recovery. Released kidnap victims require immediate and comprehensive medical attention, trauma-informed psychological care, and long-term rehabilitation to recover fully from the hidden effects of captivity.