No fewer than nine passengers have been killed after gunmen opened fire on a commercial bus at Dungus Junction in Kuru community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incident occurred when the driver of the bus, which was heading to Jos, stopped at the junction to drop off some passengers.
Residents told journalists that the attackers opened fire on the vehicle while it was stationary, leaving several passengers dead and others injured. The bus was later found stained with blood and riddled with bullet holes, Daily Trust reports.
Lawan Suleiman, a neighbour and teacher of one of the victims, confirmed the attack and said the incident occurred while the bus was stopped at the junction.
Suleiman identified the driver as Ibrahim and said three of the victims were from the Bukuru community. “The driver is Ibrahim and he was my student. Three of them are from our community here in Bukuru,” he said.
He added that the bodies of some of the victims had been deposited at a hospital, while relatives were making arrangements to take them for burial.
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Rwang Tengwong, spokesman of the Berom Youth Moulders, BYM, also confirmed the incident. He said the victims were passengers travelling to Jos when the attackers opened fire on their vehicle.
“The incident happened around 9.40p.m. The victims were all passengers travelling to Jos when the terrorists opened fire on the vehicle,” he said.
He said one of those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow, describing the incident as a tragic development. “It is a very sad development, and we lament the loss of lives,” he said.
According to Tengwong, several other passengers sustained gunshot injuries during the attack. He said the injured victims were rushed to hospitals for medical attention, adding that some of those initially taken for treatment later died from their injuries.
The attack has heightened concerns over the safety of commuters travelling along the route, particularly at night. The circumstances surrounding the attack, including the identity and motive of the attackers, remain unclear. As of press time, the Plateau State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
Security authorities are expected to provide further details on the attack and efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible.
Daily Trust
