How a Christian Hero Saved a Muslim Trader During the Deadly Jos North Attack

By Babatunji Wusu

Amidst the tragic violence that recently gripped Jos North, a powerful story of humanity has emerged from the darkness of the Angwan Rukuba assault. Sa’idu Murtala, a local garden egg seller from Filin Ball, has shared a moving account of how a Christian man risked everything to save his life during the Palm Sunday massacre on March 29. The attack, which reportedly left over 40 people dead, sent shockwaves through Plateau State, but Murtala’s experience serves as a reminder that compassion transcends religious boundaries.

Murtala recalled that he was attending to customers alongside his friend, Hassan, when the sound of gunfire suddenly shattered the evening air. As a frantic crowd scrambled for safety, a Christian resident—who recognized Murtala as a regular Muslim trader in the area—quickly opened his doors and pulled him inside. Despite the terrifying chaos and the visible anger of mobs outside, the man hid Murtala in his wife’s room. To further calm his nerves, the host even asked his wife to provide a meal for the terrified trader.

The protection didn’t stop at a hidden room; the man hosted Murtala overnight and contacted his father the following day once the situation had stabilized. Even his mobile phone, which he had left with another local named Monday for charging, was safely returned. “He knows my faith,” Murtala told Daily Trust, expressing profound gratitude for the selfless act. Sadly, the story remains bittersweet as Murtala’s friend, Hassan, is still missing and unreachable by phone.

This harrowing experience has reshaped Murtala’s worldview. He noted that while both Islam and Christianity have “good and bad people,” the world would be at peace if more individuals acted like his savior. He believes that while he cannot repay the man, divine reward will surely follow such an act of courage and kindness in a time of crisis.

In times of communal crisis, what steps can we take to ensure that neighbors continue to protect one another regardless of their religious differences?

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