Nigeria: Terrorists burned Adama Dutse to the ground. Faith, persistence and help from ACN rebuilt it
The reconstruction of a remote village in Nigeria is a sign that hope can triumph over despair, and violence will not have the final word.
On 27 May 2026, the Archbishop of Kaduna in Nigeria visited a remote village to celebrate mass with his faithful. But this was no ordinary pastoral visit, it was the celebration of a victory over death, hatred and discrimination.
Just over two years after the total destruction of the village of Adama Dutse by terrorists, and thanks to the help of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), reconstruction of over 20 houses and common infrastructure was completed. The Mass was one of rejoicing, but also of remembering those who are no longer present.
On 18 February 2024, terrorists attacked the Catholic village of Adama Dutse in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. It was 06:10 when the armed criminals arrived and the local population was preparing for Mass.
Shortly afterwards, 13 people were lying dead and many house in the village had been burned to the ground.
Two months later, a delegation from Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) visited the remains of Adama Dutse with Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso of Kaduna. The first thing that struck Kinga Schierstaedt, ACN’s project coordinator for Africa, was the military escort, a clear sign of the danger in the area.
“I think it’s the first time I was accompanied by such a large military presence. I remember two military cars in front, two cars behind, and some police or military motorcycles that were clearing the way, making sure no one was hidden behind the trees.”
“The people were happy to see the archbishop, but you could see such great suffering on the faces of all the inhabitants. We did a tour of the village, and almost all the houses were burned; only black ruins from the fire remained. Everything was destroyed, melted, and every single inhabitant was affected,” said Kinga Schierstaedt.
“I remember a boy who bore the scars from two bullets in his arm and who will never be able to use it again because he wasn’t treated immediately in a hospital. I remember a tiny little girl, around three years old, who was left with burns on her arms and on part of her face, and who cried constantly from the pain she still endured.”
Archbishop Ndagoso then led the ACN delegation to a spot on the outskirts of the village, the mass grave where the victims had been hastily buried. “Some of the inhabitants came with us to pray, but most did not, their pain was too great. Usually when you go to visit a village, everyone accompanies you, but there, we went mostly alone.”
Despite the hardship, the local population refused to leave their village, knowing that if they went to an IDP camp, they would likely lose their land. With nothing but their faith and their determination, they decided to rebuild. ACN promised it would help.
“The archbishop told us that he wanted to help the people, and even though he couldn’t bring the dead back to life, he thought he could at least help the living in their desire to stay there, to rebuild the houses and the church. That was the reason why international charity ACN decided to help them, to give them a sign that there are at least some people in the world who acknowledge their suffering and want to help them.”
Two years later, reconstruction is complete. Thanks to the support of ACN benefactors, the village has a new modern well, latrines, and solar-powered security alarms. On 27 May 2026, when Archbishop Ndagoso returned to celebrate the thanksgiving Mass, the change in atmosphere was palpable, with faces beaming with pride.
“It was a beautiful ceremony. The community was so delighted and happy that we had done this for them. They are not only grateful but indebted to those who made it possible for them to have a permanent shelter,” Archbishop Ndagoso told ACN.
“We can never thank the benefactors of ACN enough for what they have done to help those in need. We can only hope that God will bless those who have contributed. It is really wonderful. The community is deeply, deeply grateful.”
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