Under the sombre skies of an early morning, I found myself setting out from Abuja to Jos, the capital of Plateau State in northern Nigeria. The journey was a mixture of trepidation and resolve, fueled by the unsettling reports of hundreds killed and hundreds of thousands displaced in a horrific incident that had gripped the region. Accompanied by a security escort, I couldn’t help but recall the days when such precautions were unnecessary. Driving through the towns and communities, I was struck by the juxtaposing images of the serene, lonely forests and the vigilant eyes of our security team—a poignant reminder of the region’s troubling transformation. Upon arriving in Jos, my heart sank as I met with my colleague, Margaret. Her briefing painted a grim picture of the crisis, particularly its impact on children, and the urgency of LHHO response. Settling into my hotel room, I was engulfed by waves of nostalgia for a Jos I once knew—peaceful and thriving.