The loss of human lives as a cost of insecurity is immeasurable, leaving in its wake broken families, displaced children, and grieving communities. Every life cut short represents not just a statistic, but a future full of potential that may never be realised. It is an opportunity for education, and the hope of a better life cut short. This is Weng’s reality. A 14-year-old boy, full of life and dreams, until terrorists ravaged his home community, taking the lives of both his mother and sister.

On Tuesday, 22nd July 2025, Weng sat still with empty eyes staring into nothingness, with his head scarred by machete cuts, an aching reminder of what should have been the dawn of a promising day. That day, the hope of a bright future was snuffed out of him, leaving him with bouts of unsolved trauma screaming to be heard. Indeed, children are among the most vulnerable people in our society, and traumatic experiences can set in motion a cascade of changes in their lives that can be harrowing and overwhelming;  from feelings of terror, helplessness, or fear, to physiological reactions such as heart pounding, vomiting, or loss of bowel or bladder control. Over time, these experiences may interfere with their emotional development, disrupt learning, impair social relationships, and increase the risk of long-term mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

For Weng, the scars are not only emotional and psychological but physical. Having sustained a brain injury and losing the ability to move his right hand and left leg voluntarily, he continues to experience Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which manifests through recurring feelings of terror. Although he is undergoing speech therapy to learn to speak again, he still struggles to remember or talk about the night of the attack. His silence speaks volumes about the depth of his pain.

Without timely support and intervention, the impact of trauma can shape the trajectory of a child’s entire life, limiting their ability to thrive and reach their full potential. Today, Weng is fighting so many battles from the piercing pain of losing his mother, sister, and community, to surviving being macheted, enduring the long process of healing, relearning basic tasks he once did with ease, and coping with the deep psychological effects of this traumatic experience. 

This is why we must come together to provide the support Weng needs to reintegrate into society, to live a life filled with hope and one that enables him to pursue his dreams so he can ultimately fulfil his potential. Weng represents the millions of children suffering from the many effects of insecurity in Northern Nigeria and beyond. 

At PSJUK, stories of victims of insurgencies and insecurity like Weng’s are at the heart of our advocacy, amplifying their voices and providing the support they need to live again. We believe everyone deserves an opportunity, irrespective of their background, ethnicity, or religion, and so we call on philanthropists, the government of Plateau State, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, as well as civil society organisations, community leaders, and individuals of goodwill to rise to this urgent call. 

No child should bear the cost of insecurity, and together, we must ensure that children like Weng are not forgotten, but are given the care, protection, and opportunities they need to heal and thrive. Join us in restoring hope—click the link to make a donation today and help Weng rebuild the life he once dreamed of.

By Eunice Chukwuma

Eunice is a development communications professional with an interest in social justice, equity and governance. She’s a social impact advocate using effective communication and storytelling to promote social justice for vulnerable communities and their engagement in governance processes. She also volunteers with PSJ UK, contributing to its mission of amplifying the voices of the persecuted and promoting justice across sub-Saharan Africa.

Click https://www.psjuk.org/volunteers to volunteer with PSJUK and join in with efforts to build a peaceful, secure, safe and prosperous Nigeria for all.