Chibok girls: ‘They should be given thorough psychological, spiritual healing’

Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend (Dr) Nicholas Okoh, has stressed the need for the recently released 82 Chibok girls from captivity, to be given through psychological and spiritual healing.

Archbishop Okoh stated this in a press release made available on the church’s website, and signed by the General Secretary of the Church of Nigeria,

The Venerable (Dr) Stephen Ayodeji Fagbemi.

Primate Okoh, while expressing gratitude to God for the safe release of the girls, commended the efforts of all involved in ensuring that the girls were freed.

“The Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria

(Anglican Communion), the Most Revd Dr Nicholas Okoh, and the entire Church of Nigeria, commend the Federal Government on its success in securing the release of 82 Chibok girls that have been held captive by the Boko Haram sect for more than two years.

“The Church is grateful to God Almighty who has been watching over them, and rejoices with the parents who must undoubtedly be relieved by this development. This is certainly connected to the activities of the security forces, the military, negotiators and members of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign group, who have not relented in their efforts and appeal thus far. It is pertinent also to acknowledge the efforts of the Red Cross and others who have been involved in this process.

“We plead that efforts should be made to give thorough psychological and spiritual healing to the girls by competent hands. They should also be allowed to receive proper counselling and de-indoctrination according to their religious traditions.”

This should help them deal with the trauma within their religious traditions as we pray for their recovery and proper rehabilitation,” the statement read.

While praying for blessings and a stable future for the girls, the cleric also urged government to ensure the “speedy and final release of all others at once, to finally put an end to the worries and anxiety of the families and the entire nation.”