Contributors: John Abednego, Saratu Magaji, Joshua Philemon, Emmanuel Manji Moses, Margaret Lapan Vwamhi
Activity supported by Kerk in Actie
The conflict between farmers and herders has claimed numerous lives, destroyed properties, and displaced many. Amidst this chaos, TEKAN Peace Desk has worked tirelessly to provide psycho-social support to the affected communities.
The organization conducted a three-day Trauma Healing Workshop for 100 survivors of violent conflict in Bokkos and Mangu LGAs of Plateau State and 50 survivors of violent conflict in Zango Kataf LGA of Kaduna State. The workshop was carried out from 24th – 26th September 2024 in Mangu and Bokkos LGAs and from 22nd – 24th October 2024 in Zango Kataf LGA. The workshop aimed to help participants acknowledge that there is hope after their horrific experiences and that healing, though may take time, is possible. The facilitators guided the participants through a journey of self-discovery, helping them to understand that forgiveness is essential for their healing.
Participants were able to share their traumatic experiences. The stories shared were mostly centered on hurt, disappointments, anger, pain, and guilt. It was a poignant moment as participants each shared their stories, with some unable to control their emotions.
Esther Ishaya recounted how her mother was killed on December 24, 2023, and her father on December 25, 2025, by the attackers. She felt like there was no reason to live anymore. Stephen shared a similar story of loss, recounting how the attackers killed his loved one on December 24, 2023, leaving him with no hope in love. Benedict Yohanna’s husband was killed while they were running from the attackers, and they lost all their properties. Matthew Zachariah’s brother was also killed by the attackers. Mama Julia’s brother and parents were killed, and their properties were destroyed. Mama Rahila took her mother to the hospital and returned to find that the attackers had killed her two brothers, one was shot and the other burned inside his car. Dorcas’s brothers were killed by the attackers in December 2023. Mama Esther Simon lived with the bitter memory of her two children killed and one had his leg amputated from a gunshot wound.
During the workshop, participants began to realize that forgiveness is essential for their healing. During the “Gathering on Forgiveness” session, one participant stood up and declared that she had decided to forgive her in-law who had caused her so much grief. Another participant said she had decided to forgive the killers of her brother-in-law. A participant who had earlier expressed anger towards the Fulani people declared that he had forgiven them and would always respond to their greetings, which he had not done previously.
Two participants, Mr. Solomon David (widower) and Mrs. Nandi Tongpan (widow), indicated interest in marrying each other, a sign of the new beginnings that the workshop had inspired.
The success of the workshop underscores the importance of addressing the emotional and psychological needs of survivors of violent conflict. TEKAN Peace Desk remains committed to supporting these survivors, providing them with the tools they need to rebuild their lives.
