NIGERIA: PRAY FOR 15-YEAR-OLD GODWIN AS HE DEALS WITH THE GRIEF OF LOSING HIS DAD

Godwin* IS A 15-YEAR-OLD CHRISTIAN FROM NIGERIA. TWO YEARS AGO HE and his three siblings lost their father when he was killed by EXTREMIST MILITANTS during an attack on their village in July 2023. UNDERSTANDABLY GODWIN STRUGGLED WITH LOSING HIS FATHER, BUT THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT, OPEN DOORS PARTNERS HAVE BEEN HELPING GODWIN AND HIS FAMILY BEGIN TO DEAL WITH THEIR GRIEF AND HURT.

Since 2023, the largely Christian villages in the Local Government Area (LGA) have suffered ongoing attacks from Islamic Fulani militants. The goal of these attacks is to displace Christians from this area so they can claim the land for themselves.

Godwin recalls the day in July 2023 when the extremists attacked his village:

“When the fight first started, we ran away. No one was touched in our village. When the place became calm, we went back. At that time, the militants were still preparing but we didn’t know. When they came the second time, we ran again to another village. My father went back home to get corn, and one woman asked him to stop so that he could help carry her corn.”

Godwin’s father found a motorbike which he gave to the woman, which helped her escape. His own motorbike however failed to start when he was ready to leave. The militants were closing in on the village and Godwin’s father was defenceless when they found him.

Godwin and other family members had already left and were not aware of what had happened until much later. “It was only on the fourth day that they told us they killed him,” Godwin remembers.  

Struggling with grief

The family struggled to accept what had happened. “We didn’t cry. We said our father is not dead. If he was, we would have known. ‘Our father isn’t dead, he ran away, but he isn’t dead’. Then when we realised, he was really dead, we cried.” 

The family moved into a relative’s house for extra support, but problems began when Godwin’s uncle started pressuring Godwin’s mum to get into a relationship with him. Godwin’s mum refused, which made the uncle angry, and he started treating the family really badly.

FINDING NEW STRENGTH

In July 2024 Godwin was invited to go to a trauma centre, supported by Open Doors. It was there, a year after the attack, that he found healing and acceptance. He shares: “When my siblings and I came here, I was strengthened”.

“I am thankful to God because of how he is making me strong. Since the time I lost my dad I don’t have the appetite to eat food but when I came here, I was taught about forgiveness and I have been able to forgive those that killed my dad. I am thankful because I have received healing.” 

Godwin asks prayers for he and his family:

“I want you pray for us because we lost our dad. Other people have a father who can protect them if someone tries to hurt them… The person that will protect us, God has already called him to glory. We don’t have anyone but God.”