You don’t have to be doing anything more that walking down a road in Nigeria to become the victim of a violent crime. Kidnapping for ransom is prevalent throughout the country and a chief concern in Abia State, home base to Vision Africa. Earlier this month police engaged in a gun battle with members of a notorious gang in the region, killing five gang members in a raid conducted after neighbors reported repeated kidnappings and terrorizing incidents. But the threats don’t stop there.

Human trafficking, armed robbery, assault, cultism, and property-related crimes are common in Abia State and throughout Nigeria. Terrorist groups have escalated their campaigns of violent attacks in 2025, and clashes between farmers and herders often result in attacks on property or even physical assault. Children are cautioned from an early age to be constantly vigilant to their surroundings and taught how to take evasive action if necessary. Trust is hard-won, and peace is often a distant dream because violence is a fact of everyday life. 

How can we speak into a problem so big and so complex? Should we even try?  Jesus answers with an emphatic “yes” ! “Blessed are the peacemakers,” Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount, “for they will be called children of God.”  (Matthew 5:9) Biblical scholars say the passage highlights the importance of actively working towards peace and reconciliation, rather than simply avoiding conflict. It’s an active pursuit that aligns with God’s character and builds a divine nature in those who truly pursue it. The challenge is daunting, but we are called by God to address it.

At Vision Africa, we are seeking peace through community dialogue. Over 2,000 participants from various regions attended Vision Africa’s community engagement event held June 7th in the Bende Local Government Area. Attendees were encouraged to share their concerns directly with security personnel who then provided practical safety tips and ways to prevent, detect, and report threats without resorting to violence or vigilantism. The format helped demystify security processes and fostered a sense of collective responsibility for peace building and peaceful coexistence. The event also formally introduced VA’s Agnes Onuoha Memorial Hospital to the public and explained how it will serve the entire region of southeast Nigeria. 

Vision Africa has been blessed to play a pivotal role in transforming Bende into one of the most peaceful and stable LGAs in the region. With stability and social cohesion on the rise, Bende has attracted the attention of investors, service providers, and development partners. This economic growth has made Bende a model for other LGAs in Abia State and beyond. In this way, peace and reconciliation efforts sponsored by Vision Africa have been a catalyst for sustainable development that could change the face of not only Nigeria but all of Africa. 

Vision Africa’s two decades of conflict resolution experience have shown that community engagement and participatory dialogue are the most effective tools to build trust, provide a safe platform to air concerns and foster a sense of collective responsibility for peaceful coexistence. What started as small, townhall meetings have grown into large-scale events that draw thousands of participants from multiple Local Government Areas. The result of these community forums is better relations between neighbors, greater stability in the region, and impressive economic growth. Vision Africa bears a deep calling to expand this model of community engagement in prayerful hope that it spreads peace and prosperity to ever-widening areas of Nigeria and beyond. 

Are you called to be a peacemaker?  If God is urging you to take active steps toward peace in our world, join us in that effort today. Click on the Donate button below and mark your donation in the comments section for “peace and reconciliation.” Because children of God are peacemakers.