Plateau Attack Survivor Shares How Christian Stranger Risked Everything to Save Him
A Plateau attack survivor has shared an emotional testimony about how a Christian stranger risked his life to save him during the recent violence in Jos North, proving that humanity transcends religious boundaries even in Nigeria’s most troubled moments.
Sa’idu Murtala, a resident of Filin Ball community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau state, explained how a Christian saved his life during an attack on Anguwan Rukuba community. Narrating his ordeal, Murtala, a garden egg seller, said he was engaged with his customers when gunmen arrived in the area.
The Moment Everything Changed
It was around 7:30 PM on what seemed like an ordinary Sunday evening. Murtala was finishing up his day selling garden eggs in the Rukuba community when chaos erupted. In the midst of the violence that would claim 28 lives, a Christian man he barely knew made a split-second decision that would save his life.
What makes this story remarkable isn’t just the rescue itself, but what the Plateau attack survivor learned from that terrifying experience. “The Christian man’s actions served as a lesson that he would live to remember, believing there are good people everywhere. In both Christianity and Islam, there are good and bad people. But if all people were like this man who saved my life, the world would be at peace”.
Beyond Individual Acts of Courage
Murtala’s story isn’t isolated. Across Plateau State, similar acts of interfaith protection have emerged during violent attacks. In 2018, Imam Abdullahi shielded over 262 Christians in his Mosque and house when gunmen attacked the Ngar community. The Imam has been receiving national and international awards since 2018 when he risked his life to save his Christian neighbours.
These stories challenge the narrative of religious warfare often portrayed in headlines. When asked why he protected Christians, the Imam said “God has created human beings for different purposes. Why will you kill your fellow human being? I cannot live while watching that scene. I told the attackers that if they wanted to kill them, they should kill me first”.
The Pattern of Protection
The Plateau attack survivor represents countless others who have experienced interfaith solidarity during violence. Muhammad Ibrahim, another victim of an attack in Jos North, was rescued by a Christian tricycle driver who helped disguise him with a face cap, drove him away from the scene and took him to Jos Central Mosque.
These acts happen repeatedly across Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where humanitarian organizations report that both Muslims and Christians regularly risk their lives to protect neighbors of different faiths during attacks.
Finding Hope in Humanity
For Murtala, the experience fundamentally changed his worldview. “All of them know I am a Muslim. I will never forget this man who saved my life”. His gratitude extends beyond personal salvation to a deeper understanding of human nature.
The Plateau attack survivor now carries a message of unity: “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”. His story reminds us that even in regions plagued by religious tensions, individual choices for compassion can overcome hatred.
Breaking the Cycle
While violence continues to plague Nigeria’s Middle Belt, with thousands displaced and hundreds killed annually, these stories of interfaith protection offer a different path forward. They demonstrate that religious identity doesn’t have to determine who deserves protection or who offers it.
As communities work to rebuild after each attack, survivors like Murtala become living testimonies that peace is possible. Their experiences show that beneath religious labels, shared humanity can prevail—one courageous act at a time.
