Lone survivor recounts how he escaped Plateau bus attack that killed nine

Nasiru Garba, the lone survivor of a deadly attack on a commercial bus in Plateau State, has narrated how he escaped after gunmen opened fire on the vehicle.

Nine people were killed during the attack at Dungus Junction in Kuru community, Jos South Local Government Area, on Sunday.

Garba, who worked as the bus conductor, said the vehicle was travelling towards Jos and had stopped to allow some passengers to disembark when the attack began.

According to him, five passengers had just left the vehicle while the driver stepped out to collect their fares.

Gunmen suddenly opened fire, shooting passengers who had left the vehicle as well as those still inside.

Garba said his immediate reaction after hearing the gunshots was to bend down.

The attackers subsequently approached the bus, opened the front door and searched him. According to his account, they took his money and mobile phone but did not kill him.

Garba said he avoided looking at the attackers’ faces and recalled that they did not speak during the incident.

The survivor described the experience as terrifying and said he had only been working as a bus conductor for four days when the attack occurred.

Among those killed was the driver, identified as Ibrahim Bala Gile.

Lawan Suleiman, a neighbour and former teacher of the driver, said three of the victims were from the Bukuru community.

The Berom Youth Moulders also confirmed the attack, saying the victims were passengers travelling to Jos when the gunmen struck.

The group’s spokesperson, Rwang Tengwong, called for stronger action by authorities to address repeated attacks in the area.

Relatives of the victims have also appealed to the government to strengthen security and prevent further loss of life.