Plateau Attack Survivor Recounts How Christian Stranger Saved His Life
In a powerful testament to humanity amid violence, a Muslim survivor from Plateau State has shared how a Christian neighbor risked everything to save him during a deadly attack in Jos. Sa'idu Murtala, a garden egg seller from Filin Ball in Jos North, described the harrowing moments when gunmen stormed the Anguwan Rukuba community on Sunday, March 29.
Deadly Violence Erupts in Jos
Governor Caleb Mutfwang confirmed that 28 people lost their lives in the violence that swept through the area. According to Murtala's account to Daily Trust, he was attending to customers at his garden egg stall around 7:30 pm when the attack began.
"The moment I turned to where I displayed my garden eggs to attend to customers, I started hearing gunshots," Murtala recalled. "Everybody was looking for somewhere to hide."
A Life-Saving Act of Courage
In the chaos, a Christian man whose identity remains undisclosed made a split-second decision that would save Murtala's life. "All of a sudden, a Christian man quickly opened his house and hid me inside," Murtala said. "I completely lost my senses, thinking I would be killed because the situation was terrifying, as people around were angry."
The Good Samaritan took Murtala into his wife's room, asked his wife to bring food for the terrified survivor, and did everything possible to calm his mind. Murtala spent the night in the Christian family's home, and the following day, his rescuer contacted Murtala's father, who came to retrieve him once the situation had stabilized.
Recognition Across Religious Lines
Murtala emphasized that his rescuer knew he was Muslim from their daily interactions in the market area. "He knows I am a Muslim because I used to do my business there every day and leave for my area. He knows my faith," Murtala explained. Even Murtala's phone, which he had given to someone named Monday for charging before the attack, was returned to him afterward.
"I will never forget this man who saved my life," Murtala declared with deep emotion.
A Lesson in Humanity
Reflecting on the traumatic experience, Murtala said it taught him a profound lesson about human nature. "It was a lesson to me, and that all persons cannot be the same. In both Christianity and Islam, there are good and bad people," he observed. "But if all people were like this man who saved my life, the world would be at peace."
While expressing his inability to materially repay his rescuer, Murtala expressed faith that divine reward would come. "I don't have anything to pay him back, but I believe Allah will reward him for what he did. Allah would definitely open his doors."
Missing Friend Adds to Tragedy
The story has a heartbreaking postscript: Murtala's friend Hassan, a sugarcane seller who was with him just before the attack, remains missing. "His phone is unreachable," Murtala reported, adding another layer of tragedy to an already devastating situation.
This account emerges as Plateau State continues to grapple with periodic outbreaks of violence, making stories of cross-religious solidarity particularly significant. Murtala's experience serves as a powerful reminder that humanity can transcend religious divisions even in the most dangerous circumstances.
