Nasiru Garba, the lone survivor of a deadly attack on a commercial bus in Kuru, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, has recounted how he escaped death after gunmen opened fire on the vehicle.

Nine people, including the driver, were killed in the attack at Dungus Junction on Sunday after the bus stopped to drop off passengers.

Garba, who worked as the bus conductor, said the driver had stopped by the roadside and five passengers had alighted when the attackers opened fire.

“We parked by the roadside and dropped off five passengers. After they disembarked, the driver got off the bus to collect the transport fare,” he said.

“I was in front of the bus waiting for the driver. Just as the driver opened the door to enter, the gunmen opened fire on those passengers who had disembarked. All of them and those in the vehicle, including the driver, were shot dead.

“Immediately I heard the gunshots, I bent down. The attackers approached the bus, opened the front door and searched my body. They took all the money and my phone, which was being charged.

“They didn’t talk while carrying out the act, and I didn’t look at their faces.”

Garba described the incident as terrifying and said he was still confused when the attack occurred. He added that it was only his fourth day working as a bus conductor.

Residents said the vehicle was left riddled with bullets and stained with blood following the attack.

Lawan Suleiman, a neighbour and former teacher of one of the victims, identified the driver as Ibrahim Bala Gile.

“The driver is Ibrahim, and he was my student. Three of them are from our community here in Bukuru. Their bodies have been deposited at the hospital. But relatives are preparing to collect them for burial,” Suleiman said.

Rwang Tengwong, spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders (BYM), also confirmed the attack, saying the victims were travelling to Jos when gunmen opened fire on the vehicle.

“The victims were all passengers travelling to Jos when gunmen opened fire on the vehicle. Among those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow. It is a very sad development, and we lament the loss of lives,” Tengwong said.

He added that some passengers sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to hospitals, although some later died.

Tengwong, who also lost an in-law in the attack, condemned the killings and called on the authorities to take decisive action against those responsible.

He said eight Christians and one Muslim were among those killed, urging residents of both faiths to unite against violence.

“These attackers are becoming more violent and are no longer selecting their targets based on tribe or religion,” he said.

Bala Isah, the driver’s father, said his son was the family’s breadwinner and had returned to work after receiving a call from passengers who wanted to travel.

“We were together earlier on the day of the attack,” he said.

“That day, he even asked me what he should buy for me, but he never returned.”

He appealed to the government to strengthen security measures to prevent further attacks.

Jama Samuel, a youth leader in Kuru Sabon Layi, described the attack as cruel and said similar incidents had occurred in the area.

“Before Sunday’s attack, gunmen had killed three people last week, and just last Sunday night they killed nine people also. It’s been a while now that we have been having such attacks,” Samuel said.

“Even women were killed in the attack, while the injured ones are still in the hospital.”

Samuel said residents were angered by the killings and that some women and youths wanted to block the road in protest, but community leaders intervened to prevent the action.

He urged the Plateau State Government to intensify efforts to protect residents, stressing that the violence had affected both Christians and Muslims.

The victims were identified as Mafeng Dangana, 25; Victoria Ishaku, 47; Joy Felix, 25; Precious Dabere, 23; Isaac Gyang, 20; Usaini Badamasi, 20; Ibrahim Bala, 28; Evelyn Micha; and Esther Iliya.

Meanwhile, the Divisional Police Officer in Mangu Local Government Area, Yusuf S., has appealed to herders and other residents to avoid retaliatory attacks.

Yusuf made the appeal during the burial of three herders killed in the Aloghom area of Mangu on Saturday. About 50 cattle were also reportedly killed in the incident.

“Two wrongs cannot make a right. Whatever is damaged requires repairs. If people continue to engage in reprisals, we will never live in peace,” the DPO said.

“Therefore, I am appealing to you to shun reprisal. Let us come together and live in peace. Taking laws into our hands is not good. We must allow security agencies to do their jobs.”

He assured mourners that the police and other security agencies would work to identify and arrest those responsible for the killings.

“The police and other security agencies would do everything possible to fish out those responsible for the killing,” he said.