On 7 March 2010, the village of Dogo Nahawa was the site of a brutal massacre: 500 people were killed in an early morning attack. This incident drew international attention and highlighted the deep-rooted conflicts in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria.

Fourteen years have passed since the horrific massacre and the revenge-fuelled merciless machete attacks that followed it. The scars of that dark day remain etched in the collective memory of the region.

Amid the pain and grief, courageous individuals have risen to confront the cycle of violence with unwavering determination and a commitment to peace. These local peacebuilders have become beacons of hope, resilience, and healing for communities torn apart by violence.

“if we didn’t break the cycle of violence, it would only continue to consume us”

One such peacebuilder is Simtong, a community leader who survived the massacre. His journey from victim to peace advocate began in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy. “The pain of losing so many friends and family members was unbearable,” Simtong recalls. “But I knew that if we didn't break the cycle of violence, it would only continue to consume us.”

Simtong dedicated himself to the painstaking work of healing wounds and fostering reconciliation. Recognising the profound impact of trauma on individuals and communities, he prioritised initiatives that provide psychosocial support, counselling, and therapeutic interventions to survivors and bereaved families. Through counselling sessions, support groups, and trauma-healing workshops, Simtong offers a safe space for survivors to process their pain, confront their trauma, and begin the journey toward healing and recovery.

“Trauma healing is not a quick fix,” Simtong explains. “It takes time, patience, and a lot of compassion. But I’ve seen first-hand how powerful it can be in helping people rebuild their lives.”

Alongside Simtong is Maimuna, a dedicated social worker who lost her half-brother in the massacre. Muna, as she is fondly called, focuses on providing psychosocial support to women and children affected by the violence. “Many of the women I work with have experienced unimaginable horrors,” Muna says. “They've lost their husbands, their children, and their sense of security. Their pillars are gone, it's our job to help them find their strength again.”

Muna runs support groups where women can share their stories and find solace in each other’s company. These sessions, coupled with trauma-healing workshops, provide a lifeline for those struggling to cope with their loss. “We don’t just listen to their pain; we help them find ways to move forward,” Muna explains. “It's about giving them the tools to rebuild their lives and their communities.”

The role of commemoration

Central to these efforts is the transformative power of trauma healing and commemoration as tools for rebuilding fractured societies. Local peacebuilders like Simtong and Muna have championed the importance of commemoration as a means of honoring the memory of the lives lost in the massacre, while also acknowledging the resilience and strength of survivors. Through annual memorial events, peace walks, and community gatherings, they create opportunities for reflection, remembrance, and solidarity – uniting people across ethnic and religious divides in a shared commitment to peace and justice.

At one such memorial event, Ruth, another key figure in the peacebuilding efforts, addressed a crowd of survivors and supporters. “We must remember the past, but we must not be defined by it,” she said. “Our strength lies in our ability to come together, to support each other, and to build a future free from violence.”

Ruth's commitment to peace extends beyond the annual memorials. Ruth was a headteacher who lost her husband in the massacre, has been a vocal advocate for peace and reconciliation in her community.

She works tirelessly to educate young people about the importance of acceptance and understanding. “Our children are the future of this community. Just imagine that a baby born then is [now] a teenager,” Ruth explains. “If we can teach them to value peace and to see beyond our differences, we can break the cycle of violence once and for all.”

The efforts of local peacebuilders like Simtong, Muna, and Ruth have not gone unnoticed. The Tattaaunawa Roundtable Initiative TRICentre, a local organisation dedicated to promoting peace and reconciliation in Plateau State has been instrumental in supporting their work.

“Our mission is to empower communities to heal and rebuild,” says Aliyu Alkasim, a project coordinator. “We provide resources, training, and support to local peacebuilders who are on the frontlines of this important work.”

He highlights the significance of community-driven initiatives in the peacebuilding process. “True peace can only be achieved when the people themselves take ownership of the process,” he says. “Our role is to support and amplify their efforts, not to dictate from above.”

A beacon of hope

Fourteen years after the Dogo Nahawa Massacre, the work of local peacebuilders continues to be a beacon of hope in Plateau State. Their tireless efforts to promote healing, reconciliation, and peacebuilding serve as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of community-driven initiatives in the face of tragedy. As they stand on the frontlines of peace, these dedicated individuals inspire us all to believe in the possibility of a brighter, more peaceful future for Plateau State and beyond.

In the words of Simtong, “We have a long way to go, but every step we take brings us closer to a future where our children can grow up in peace. That's what we're fighting for.”

Dogo Nahawa continues to recover, with ongoing efforts from local and international organisations to foster peace and reconciliation. The village symbolises the broader challenges in Plateau State, demonstrating the need for sustained peacebuilding to address ethnic and religious tensions.

The tragic history of this once beautiful village underscores the importance of peacebuilding efforts in conflict-affected regions. The village’s journey towards healing highlights the necessity of addressing violence’s root causes and fostering unity amid diversity.

Notes

Dogo Nahawa is a village in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, North Central Nigeria, known for its diverse ethnic groups and scenic landscapes. Predominantly inhabited by the Berom people, the village is mainly agrarian.