Jos Attack: How a Christian Man Hid Me in His Wife’s Bedroom — Muslim Survivor

A Muslim trader, Sa’idu Murtala, has recounted how a Christian resident in Jos risked his life to protect him during the recent violence in Angwan Rukuba, Plateau State.

Politics Nigeria reports that the attack, which targeted Christian worshippers, left at least 28 people dead and several others injured.

Sa’idu, a garden egg seller, said he was in the community to see a friend on the day the incident happened.

According to him, he was waiting for his friend to close for the day so they could leave together when the situation suddenly changed.

He explained that he had stepped out briefly when the atmosphere became tense. As evening approached, gunshots rang out across the area. Panic spread quickly as residents began to run in different directions in search of safety.

He said the situation worsened as some youths allegedly began targeting Hausa residents and Muslims in what appeared to be retaliatory attacks.

Amid the confusion, Sa’idu said help came from an unexpected source. A Christian man, whose identity he did not disclose, took him into his home and hid him inside his wife’s bedroom to shield him from the mob.

However, the danger did not end there. Sa’idu said someone who knew him spotted where he was hiding and attempted to expose him.

“The man I once helped to charge his phone saw where I was hidden. He came and said, ‘I know you, you are a Muslim. But the Christian man stood firm for me,” he said.

According to him, his host stepped outside to confront the man. After a tense exchange, the Christian man returned and reassured him that he would be safe.

“Calm down, nothing will happen to you,” Sa’idu quoted his protector as saying.

He added that the man and his family went beyond just hiding him. They provided him with food and contacted his family to inform them that he was safe.

“They gave me food, took my father’s phone number, and called him to inform him I was safe,” he said.

Sa’idu further disclosed that his host later coordinated with security personnel to ensure his safe evacuation from the area. He was asked to remain hidden until late at night when the situation had calmed.

Security operatives eventually arrived and escorted him to safety.

While Sa’idu survived the violence, others were not as fortunate.

A grieving mother, Ngo Kangyang Pam, narrated how she lost her 32-year-old son, Jude Pam, during the unrest. She said her son had stepped out at night to get pain relief medication despite her warning to wait until morning.

“I told him to wait till the following day but he said no and left, unfortunately he did not come back home again,” she said.

She explained that she initially believed her son had returned home and slept, only to discover the next morning that he was missing.

Her search led her to a junction where some youths stopped her from going further.

“Mama go home, Sunday is in Jakwano. At that point, my instinct told me that my son was no more,” she said tearfully.

She added that her son had grown up without a father and called on the Plateau State government to strengthen security and protect vulnerable residents.