Terrorism in Nigeria: Victims Support Fund

It is a good development that the government of Nigeria has established a Victims Support Fund for victims of ongoing terrorism and other conflicts in the country. Terrorism is not a familiar terrain in Nigeria and members of the Victims Support Fund Committee will need to work with a technical committee that will ensure that the Victims Support programme achieves the intended purpose. The need for accountability and objectivity in the disbursement of the funds and other support facilities for the victims should be a core aspect of this intervention if the objectives are to be realized. I'll needs to focus on forensic medical management of victims and their families and reiterate that trampling upon  fundamental human rights are at the core of the tragic incidents going on in parts of Nigeria. The victims of the terrorism and other conflicts in Nigeria are not only those who are alive, the survivors, but also the dead and their families.

The Victims Support Fund should therefore articulate a broader approach in ensuring that funds are also made available for appropriate disaster victim identification (DVI). The current disaster management in the country especially with regards to terrorism and armed conflicts apparently excludes DVI. Mass burials, chaotic and indiscriminate claim of bodies by families and relations have further complicated the picture. The  prevailing sociocultural mindset, often laced with religious interpretations negate the principles and essence of disaster victim identification,  and government officials often do not see reasons why resources should be deployed in death investigation and DVI "after all the dead is dead and nothing can bring them back to life" being the usual justification for this sorry state. However, this unfortunate disposition has failed to appreciate that treating the dead in that manner means how much we devalue life itself, and counters the right of victims to dignity and justice. The Victims Support Fund should cater for the dead in facilitating DVI, proper storage, handover of bodies to families and relations and decent burial. Families, relations and dependents of dead victims should also receive adequate financial support. Living victims in addition to adequate medical intervention to restore their health following injuries sustained, also deserve appropriate forensic medical management for injury interpretation, psychosocial care and compensation for trauma, disabilities and lost property. It is therefore imperative that a technical committee comprising of relevant expertise be put in place for expert and objective assessment. Transparency, accountability and probity must be the key words.