A Psychologist Pleads with President Tinubu: Baraka Abdulkarim’s Story Must Be Heard, by John Egbeazien Oshodi

In a recent report published by Punch on January 4th, 2025, Ayoola Olasupo shared the harrowing account of Baraka Abdulkarim, a 26-year-old final-year student of the School of Health, Makarfi, Zaria. This story brought to light the severe insecurity plaguing Nigeria. As a psychologist, this account raises critical concerns regarding the mental health impact of insecurity on survivors and the collective psyche of the nation. This letter aims to address President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian government, emphasizing the urgency of implementing sustainable security reforms to protect citizens and provide psychosocial support to victims of trauma.

Baraka’s Ordeal: A Reflection of National Insecurity

Baraka Abdulkarim’s experience offers a chilling perspective on the harsh realities faced by ordinary Nigerians. Kidnapped on December 1, 2024, while traveling from Zaria to Funtua, Katsina State, she endured a 13-day ordeal that involved torture, psychological trauma, and the loss of innocent lives. The kidnappers, armed with AK-47 rifles, shot two children for walking too slowly and showed no regard for human life. This inhumane treatment highlights the need for comprehensive security measures to protect citizens from such acts of violence.

The psychological toll on survivors of such traumatic events cannot be overstated. Baraka’s account of her time in captivity, chained and deprived of basic human dignity, is a testament to the lasting mental health challenges she and others will face. Her inability to sleep, recurring flashbacks, and the need for ongoing therapy are classic symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As a psychologist, it is crucial to advocate for the provision of psychological services for survivors of kidnapping and banditry to facilitate their recovery and reintegration into society.

The Socioeconomic Cost of Insecurity

Furthermore, Baraka’s story underscores the socioeconomic impact of insecurity. Her family struggled to meet the ransom demands, only for the kidnappers to betray the agreement by holding the person who delivered the ransom, demanding an additional payment. This cycle of financial exploitation perpetuates poverty and despair, leaving families devastated. The government must explore policies that deter ransom payments while simultaneously increasing efforts to rescue victims and hold perpetrators accountable.

The Encounter with Soldiers: A Painful Reality

“I couldn’t believe it when the man next to me asked me to shift, and the next thing I saw was a gun,” Baraka Abdulkarim recalled. “The woman, the children, and I started screaming, hoping someone would hear us. But the kidnappers just laughed at us.”

Their mocking continued as they said, “Even if the soldiers see you, they won’t help. Nobody will come to your aid.” These chilling words were not just taunts; they were a brutal reflection of the state of Nigeria’s security apparatus—a message that help would never come, no matter how desperate the situation.

“We passed a military checkpoint, and we were shouting for help. The soldiers didn’t notice. Or maybe they chose not to notice,” Baraka explained, still grappling with the horror of that realization. “The kidnappers drove past them as if they knew nothing would happen. They were right. The soldiers didn’t stop them, didn’t even question them.”

This encounter exposed a painful truth: the very people tasked with protecting Nigerian citizens, the soldiers standing guard at that checkpoint, became symbols of neglect and failure. “How could armed men pass soldiers so easily? How could they miss such a blatant threat?” These questions linger, unanswered, but they speak to the heart of Nigeria’s security crisis.

As a psychologist, I cannot overlook the devastating psychological impact of this experience on victims like Baraka. It is one thing to face violence at the hands of criminals, but it is another to realize that those you rely on for protection will not act. “We have been taught to trust soldiers, to believe they will protect us. That trust was shattered in that moment,” she said.

The psychological toll of such experiences creates a ripple effect across communities. When people lose faith in security agencies, they no longer feel safe. This erosion of trust leads to fear, anxiety, and a pervasive sense of helplessness. Citizens begin to believe that they are truly on their own, left to navigate a dangerous world without any institutional support.

The Failure of Security Forces: A Critical Concern

Baraka’s story lays bare a troubling reality: “Even the soldiers won’t help,” the kidnappers said—and they were right. This statement highlights a systemic failure in Nigeria’s security framework. How is it possible that heavily armed kidnappers, transporting terrified victims, could pass through a military checkpoint with such ease?

The implications are profound. Was this a case of negligence? Were the soldiers simply unaware of what was happening right in front of them? Or, more disturbingly, was it a case of complicity? Did they see the situation and choose to look the other way?

This is not just a lapse in protocol; it is a damning indictment of the security system as a whole. It shows a breakdown in accountability, oversight, and responsibility. Citizens are left asking: “If the soldiers won’t act, who will protect us?”

As a psychologist, I see the psychological damage caused by such failures. When security institutions fail to act, it breeds learned helplessness—a condition where people believe that their actions have no impact on their fate. This leads to despair, apathy, and a dangerous void where criminal elements can thrive.

The fact that the kidnappers felt confident enough to mock their victims with statements like, “The soldiers won’t help you,” reflects how deeply they understand the weaknesses in Nigeria’s security apparatus. These criminals exploit these weaknesses with impunity, knowing there will be no consequences.

Addressing this crisis requires more than just increasing military presence or funding. It requires systemic reform—a complete overhaul of the security framework to prioritize accountability, training, and trust-building between security agencies and the communities they serve.

Nigerians need to know that their cries for help will not be ignored. They need to believe that those tasked with their protection will act decisively and without hesitation. The failure at that checkpoint was not just a singular event; it symbolizes a broader failure of governance and accountability. Without urgent reforms, the cycle of violence and mistrust will continue, leaving more citizens vulnerable to the very dangers they expect the state to shield them from.

“We are invisible to them,” Baraka concluded, her voice filled with a mix of sorrow and defiance. “Our lives don’t seem to matter. But I refuse to be invisible. I refuse to be forgotten.”

The Impact on Children and Communities

Baraka’s story is not just about an individual’s trauma; it represents the trauma of an entire generation of Nigerians growing up in fear. Children witnessing or experiencing such violence are at risk of long-term psychological damage. The fear of abduction, the uncertainty of safety, and the loss of trust in security agencies impact the mental health of communities. These children are the future of Nigeria, yet they are growing up in an environment that teaches them to live in constant fear. This cycle of trauma will perpetuate unless the government addresses the root causes of insecurity and ensures the safety of all citizens.

What the World Can Learn from Baraka’s Resilience

Baraka’s resilience is a lesson not just for Nigeria but for the entire world. Her strength in the face of adversity highlights the incredible endurance of the human spirit. Her story should inspire international conversations about human rights, security, and mental health support for victims of violence. The global community must recognize that insecurity is not just a Nigerian problem—it is a human problem. The international community should stand in solidarity with victims of violence and push for policies that promote peace, security, and mental health support worldwide.

Mr. President, This Is the Type of Nigerian You Should Celebrate

In conclusion, Baraka’s story is not just a personal tragedy; it is a reflection of the broader challenges facing Nigeria. As a psychologist and a concerned citizen, I urge President Tinubu and his administration to take decisive action to address insecurity and provide the necessary support for survivors. Nigeria cannot afford to ignore the psychological impact of violence on its people. It is time to implement comprehensive policies that protect both the physical and mental well-being of every Nigerian.

The cry for help from common Nigerians like Baraka Abdulkarim must not go unheard. It is a call to action for a safer, more compassionate Nigeria where every citizen can live free from fear and trauma. Mr. President, this is the type of person you should invite to Aso Rock. Baraka is a resilient, enduring Nigerian who embodies the spirit of survival and strength in the face of unimaginable adversity. Her story is not just one of pain but of remarkable courage and endurance—qualities that can inspire the nation and provide invaluable insights into the country’s security failures.

Invite her to sit with you, to share her experience firsthand. Ask her: How did she survive? What gave her the strength to endure such a horrifying ordeal? What can the security agencies learn from her resilience and her ability to navigate those dark days? There is much that the nation can gain from listening to her—not just lessons on survival, but also a deeper understanding of the psychological toll insecurity takes on everyday Nigerians. Her story holds answers to some of the pressing questions about how ordinary citizens cope in the absence of adequate security measures.

Tangible Support: A Nation’s Responsibility

Beyond listening, Mr. President, offer her tangible support. Baraka is a student from a humble background who has endured unimaginable trauma. She deserves assistance to complete her education and rebuild her life. Provide her with financial support, cover her tuition fees, and ensure she has access to resources that will help her heal and thrive. She may be poor in material wealth, but she is rich in spirit—the kind of resilient spirit that Nigeria needs to uplift, celebrate, and learn from. Recognize her ordeal not just with words of sympathy but with meaningful action that can restore her faith in the nation she belongs to.

The Need for a New National Security Framework

Baraka’s story is a wake-up call for the need to completely rethink Nigeria’s national security strategy. It highlights the vulnerability of ordinary citizens and the failure of traditional security approaches. The government must prioritize intelligence-driven security operations, community-based policing, and the empowerment of local communities to serve as a first line of defense. It is not enough to rely on reactive measures; proactive steps are necessary to dismantle criminal networks before they strike.

A National Call to Action

Mr. President, you cannot ignore this plea for a better future. Listen to the stories of people like Baraka Abdulkarim—they hold the key to understanding the pain and resilience of the common Nigerian. It is time to build a Nigeria where no one lives in fear, where every citizen feels protected, and where those who endure the worst are not forgotten but embraced, supported, and empowered to rise again. While you might not read or get to see this written plea in traditional print Nigerian newspapers, I hope and pray it finds its way to you. Perhaps a friend, a family member, your imam, or a courageous and honest adviser will say to you, ‘Sir, we cannot ignore this.’ May this message resonate within the walls of Aso Rock and spark the change we so desperately need.

Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi, born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, is an American-based police and prison scientist, forensic/clinical psychologist, public policy psychologist, and legal psychologist. He’s a government advisor on forensic-clinical psychological services in the USA and the founder of the Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi Foundation for Psychological Health. With a significant role in introducing forensic psychology to Nigeria through N.U.C. and Nasarawa State University, he’s also a former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association. He’s taught at esteemed institutions like Florida Memorial University, Florida International University, Nova Southeastern University, and more. and is currently an online faculty member at ISCOM University, Weldios University and Walden University.