Nigerian Recounts Witnessing Boko Haram Terrorists Kill His Father and Attack His Siblings with Machetes in Adamawa

Ghumdia Kambu Daniel, a 24-year-old from Nigeria, has been facing severe trauma after witnessing the murder of his father by Boko Haram terrorists. 

At just 14 years old, Ghumdia, his mother, and female family members endured sleepless nights dealing with the violent loss of their family's provider.

In 2014, Boko Haram terrorists, armed with rifles and machetes, violently intruded into Ghumdia's home in Maiduguri around 7:30 pm. They attacked his father and two brothers in their own residence, ultimately killing his father. The trauma of this event has lingered for Ghumdia and his family, causing immense emotional and psychological strain.

Ghumdia shared his harrowing experiences at a workshop titled "Trauma Healing Adamawa" in Yola, organized by Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSWN). During the session, he recounted the horrifying events of that evening: the family was gathered at home when the terrorists stormed in, taking valuables and attacking his father and brothers in front of him. His father died at the scene, while his brothers barely survived thanks to urgent medical care.

The murder forced Ghumdia’s family to relocate to a smaller town, with the sudden loss of their father disrupting their education, health, and financial stability. The burden fell on Ghumdia's older brother, who had to abandon his university education to support the family.

Tragically, the family's ordeal continued as Ghumdia’s mother was kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2017. She was held for seven months before being released. This series of traumatic events underscored a period of extreme hardship and despair for the family.

The workshop in Yola brought together 30 trauma victims, including Ghumdia, who participated in six core trauma healing lessons over four days. Each participant, like Ghumdia, had their own painful stories. Yohanna Waziri, another participant, spoke about the trauma of losing a friend and nearly being kidnapped himself. Rose Uriah recounted the brutal murder of her father by herders, and Samuel Edward described how his entire maize crop was destroyed by arson.

The participants learned that healing from trauma requires time and forgiveness, a process that the workshop aimed to initiate. The CEO of CSWN, Rev. Yunusa Nmadu, guided them through the healing lessons, aiming to foster recovery and resilience among the attendees. By the end of the workshop, many felt a sense of beginning to heal, understanding more deeply the challenges and steps involved in overcoming the deep-seated effects of their traumatic experiences.