REUNITING FAMILIES DISPERSED BY BOKO HARAM
Conflicts, crises and wars have been inherent parts of man’s existence. These phenomena have their immediate and long term effects in varying contexts and degrees. One of the most devastating aspects is the issue of families being separated from their loved ones and the attendant mental and psychological stress of not knowing the fate or whereabouts of these loved ones. If this is not bad enough, then, worse is the scenario where there are no formal or well-organised platforms to help in reuniting families in the aftermath of these harrowing situations. Perhaps the key to reuniting families post conflict is the availability of information and a veritable platform to disseminate such information. Particularly, a platform that is easily accessible to all and sundry. It is to this end that journalists and the media have come to be vital and very key actors in this very critical aspect of human endeavour. No group of people is closer to the generality of the people and easily accessible like the journalists; just as no platform of information has the reach and coverage of the mass media.
Nigeria and in particular the north eastern part of the country has been inundated and devastated by frequent and incessant attacks by the hydra-headed monster of the Boko Haram insurgency. The aftermath of these attacks have been the displacement of families and the separation of people from their loved ones. This has occurred in various ways, ranging from people running away and leaving behind their loved ones when their communities were attacked to people abducted by the insurgents and never heard of again. With the war on insurgency recording massive success it is becoming increasingly important to tackle the post insurgency issues headlong and in a timely manner, particularly, finding veritable ways of reuniting displaced persons with their families. Post-traumatic experiences cannot be adequately addressed unless the issues of missing persons are adequately put to rest. This is critical in ensuring that people can go about resettling and rebuilding their lives on a solid foundation.
However the issue of reuniting families separated by the menace has not been given the attention it deserves. The mass media with its reach and coverage is perhaps best equipped to spearhead this endeavour of reuniting friends and families. This would have tremendous impact in helping the victims of insurgency to rebuild their lives. It would also help government and other stake holders to better realise the need to properly channel efforts in reuniting families post crisis.
Sakeenah Saleh Joji and Zainab Idris Abdullahi, Mass Communication Department, University of Maiduguri