RismadarVoice Reporters
September 15, 2026
The lone survivor of a deadly attack on a commercial bus at Dungus Junction, Kuru, in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nasiru Garba, has recounted how he escaped death after gunmen opened fire on passengers travelling to Jos.
Garba, who was working as the conductor of the bus, said the attackers struck after the vehicle stopped by the roadside to allow five passengers to alight.
The incident occurred on Sunday night as part of a series of attacks recorded in Jos South, Mangu and Riyom local government areas, with at least 13 people reportedly killed.
Nine people — eight passengers and the driver — were killed in the Dungus Junction attack. Two others were reportedly killed at Vodni in the Pushit District of Mangu Local Government Area, while another two were killed at Tahoos in Riyom.
Recounting the attack, Garba said the driver stepped out of the vehicle after five passengers had alighted to collect transport fares before returning to the bus.
According to him, the gunmen opened fire suddenly as the driver was getting back into the vehicle.
“We parked by the roadside and dropped off five passengers. After they alighted, the driver got down to collect the transport fare.
“I was in front of the bus waiting for the driver. Immediately ,the driver opened the door to enter,;the gunmen opened fire on the passengers who had alighted and those inside the bus.
“All the passengers twhohad already alighted, the remaining passengers in the bus, and the driver died,” Garba recounted.
He said that after shooting the victims, the attackers approached the vehicle and opened the front door while he remained concealed inside.
Garba said the assailants searched the vehicle and took the money in his possession as well as his mobile phone, which was connected to a charger.
He said he deliberately avoided looking at the attackers while they were inside the vehicle because he feared that being identified could put his life at greater risk.
“They collected all the money with me and my phone that was being charged. They didn’t talk while carrying out the act ,and I didn’t look at their faces,” he said.
Garba also disclosed that he had only recently started working as a commercial bus conductor, describing the attack as occurring on his fourth day on the job.
“I am new on the job. This was just my fourth day working as a bus conductor,” he said.
The spokesman of the Berom Youth Moulders, Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the attack and said it occurred at approximately 9:40 p.m.
Tengwong said the victims were passengers travelling towards Jos when the attackers opened fire on the vehicle.
He also disclosed that a member of Operation Rainbow, a local security initiative in Plateau State, was among those killed.
According to him, several passengers sustained gunshot injuries and were rushed to hospitals, although some of the wounded victims later died while receiving medical treatment.
A resident, Musa Dauda, also confirmed the incident, saying some of the injured victims were taken to hospital following the attack.
Dauda said the condition of the bus after the incident reflected the intensity of the attack, with the vehicle reportedly riddled with bullet holes and stained with blood.
OTHER ATTACKS RECORDED
The Dungus Junction incident was followed by separate attacks in Mangu and Riyom local government areas.
At Vodni in the Pushit District of Mangu, suspected terrorists reportedly attacked residents during the night, killing two people and injuring four others.
The injured victims were subsequently taken to a hospital in Mangu town for treatment.
In Riyom Local Government Area, two people were also reportedly killed in an attack at Tahoos around the same period.
The incidents have renewed concerns over the security situation in parts of Plateau State, where recurring attacks have continued to threaten communities and raise fears among residents and travellers.
GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS KILLINGS
The Plateau State Government condemned the attacks, describing the killings in Mangu and the Kuru bus incident as disturbing.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, the government said it was working with security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders and other stakeholders to strengthen security across the state.
The government said its peace-building efforts included dialogue, intelligence sharing, community engagement and other proactive measures aimed at preventing further violence.
It urged residents, particularly those living in affected communities, to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with credible and timely information that could assist in preventing attacks and identifying those responsible.
The government also cautioned residents against taking the law into their own hands or engaging in reprisal attacks, warning that retaliatory violence could worsen the security situation and undermine ongoing peace efforts.
The administration of Governor Caleb Mutfwang reaffirmed its commitment to prioritising peace and security while working with relevant stakeholders to protect lives and property across Plateau State.
