How Christian Man Hid Me In Wife’s Bedroom — Muslim Garden Egg Seller

A Muslim garden egg seller, Sa’idu Murtala, who survived mob action during the recent attack on Christian worshippers in Angwan Rukuba area of Jos, Plateau State that led to the death of 28 persons, has narrated how a Christian man  saved his life during the attack.

Sa’idu, in an interview with LEADERSHIP-Weekend, said he had gone to visit a friend in the neighborhood and was waiting for him to close so they could go home together.

While waiting, he stepped out briefly, and as dusk approached, the atmosphere suddenly turned tense, as they started hearing gunshots.

Tension increased as people ran in different directions for safety. He said some youths in Angwan Rukuba began targeting Hausas and Muslims, seeking revenge for those killed in the process.

He said amidst the chaos and confusion that ensued, help came to him from an unexpected person, a Christian man who took him into his house and hid him in his wife’s bedroom.

He said  danger was however far from over as someone who knew him recognised him 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.

Sa’idu further said his host  went outside to confront the man,  adding that after some time, he came back and told him, ‘Calm down, nothing will happen to you.”

“The man and his family went further to ensure my safety. They gave me food, took my father’s phone number, and called him to inform him I was safe,” Sa’idu said.

“They later arranged for my escape as I was told to wait till late night when the situation is calm and  they contacted security personnel to come and  escort me out,” he said.

He said security officers eventually arrived and took him to safety.

A widow, Ngo Kangyang Pam  who lost her 32 year son, Jude Pam  in the attacks, said her son was sleeping in his room, but later woke up to go and buy pain relief medicine.

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

“I later slept, thinking that he had returned. In the morning I was told that Jude  did not come back home at night. I went out to look for him, thinking that maybe he slept in a friend’s house,” she said.

She said on reaching the junction, she was confronted by some Agwan Rukuba boys, saying, “Mama go home, Sunday is in Jakwano. At that point, my instinct told me that my son was no more,” she said in tears.

She added that Sunday lost his father at a tender age and urged the state government to ensure adequate protection for vulnerable people in the state.