At least 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 attack reportedly occurred at about 9:40 p.m. when the bus, which was travelling towards Jos, stopped at the junction to drop off some passengers.
The incident was confirmed by residents and community leaders, who said several other passengers sustained gunshot injuries during the attack.
Lawan Suleiman, a neighbour and teacher of one of the victims, said the driver of the bus, identified as Ibrahim, was among those affected.
He said three of the victims were from his community in Bukuru, adding that their remains had been deposited at a hospital while relatives were making arrangements to take them home for burial.
“The driver is Ibrahim and he was my student. Three of them are from our community here in Bukuru. Their bodies have been deposited at the hospital. But relatives are preparing to collect them for burial,” Suleiman said.
The vehicle, which was reportedly heading to Jos, was said to have been riddled with bullets, with bloodstains visible inside the bus after the attack.
Spokesman of the Berom Youth Moulders (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, also confirmed the incident, describing the victims as passengers who were travelling to Jos when the attackers opened fire on the vehicle.
“The incident happened around 9.40p.m. The victims were all passengers travelling to Jos when the terrorists opened fire on the vehicle. Among those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow. It is a very sad development and we lament the loss of lives,” Tengwong said.
According to the BYM spokesman, some of the passengers sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to hospitals for treatment, although some reportedly died from their injuries.
The attack has heightened concerns over the safety of commuters travelling along the route, particularly at night, amid continuing security challenges in parts of Plateau State.
As of the time of filing this report, the Plateau State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the attack.
