A resident of Rantiya community in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State has narrated how he survived a deadly attack by suspected armed militias after pretending to be dead while gunmen unleashed terror on his community.
The survivor, identified as Isaac Dung, said he narrowly escaped death during the Thursday night attack on Rangarasa village, a settlement within the Rantiya community, where two vigilante operatives were reportedly killed and about 15 other residents injured.
Speaking in a telephone interview, the 37-year-old father of three recalled the terrifying moments when dozens of armed men stormed the area, forcing residents to flee for safety.
According to Dung, the attack occurred as he was returning home from work on Thursday evening.
He said he first noticed a large group of armed men arriving on motorcycles and immediately sensed danger.
“I was on my way home after work when I saw several motorcycles entering the community. From what I could see, they were many and heavily armed. Some motorcycles carried two people while others had three riders. At that moment, I knew something terrible was about to happen,” he recounted.
Dung said panic spread across the community moments later when the attackers allegedly opened fire indiscriminately.
According to him, residents scampered in different directions in a desperate attempt to escape the gunfire.
“It happened very fast. Suddenly, there was shooting everywhere. People were running into nearby bushes and rocky areas looking for anywhere safe to hide. The sound of gunshots filled the air, and everyone was struggling to survive,” he said.
The father of three explained that because of a leg condition, he knew he could not outrun the attackers.
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Faced with what appeared to be certain death, he said he made a split-second decision that ultimately saved his life.
“I have a bad leg, so I knew I couldn’t run as fast as others. The attackers were getting closer, and I realised I had very little chance of escaping. I immediately dropped to the ground and pretended to be dead,” he said.
Dung recalled that some of the gunmen later approached the area where he was lying motionless.
According to him, one of the attackers reportedly told the others in Hausa that he was already dead.
“After some minutes, a few of them came close to where I was lying. I heard one of them say, ‘arnen ya mutu,’ meaning ‘the infidel is dead.’ After that, they mounted their motorcycles and left,” he narrated.
Even after the attackers departed, Dung said he remained hidden and did not move immediately for fear that they could return.
“When I was sure they had gone, I slowly crawled into a nearby bush. I stayed there for more than five hours before I eventually found my way back home,” he said.
Reflecting on the experience, the survivor described his escape as a miracle.
“It was God and the instinct to survive that saved me that night. If I had tried to run, I don’t think I would be alive today,” he added.
The attack has heightened concerns among residents over the recurring security challenges facing several communities in Plateau State, with locals calling for stronger security measures to protect lives and property.