…Mutfwang condoles with victims’ families
• Police arrest 22 suspects
From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
No fewer than 12 persons have been killed by hoodlums who intercepted their vehicle while travelling from Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna state to Qua’an Pan local government area of Plateau state for a wedding ceremony.
It was gathered that the victims were travelling in an 18-seater bus, belonging to Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU), Zaria, when they were attacked by hoodlums around 8 pm in Mangun area of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State on Friday.
Some of the travelers who sustained various degrees of injury were said to have been rushed to the hospitals in Mangu for medical attention.
The driver of the Bus, a staff of the university, was also killed in the attack while the bus in which they were travelling was reduced to ashes.
Chief Imam of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a Wa’ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), in Mangu, Sheikh Suleiman Haruna, who confirmed the incident to newsmen, said the corpses had been deposited at Mangu General Hospital.
“There were over 20 travellers in the bus. Now we have 8 corpses in the hospitals. We have asked the security personnel to help recover the remaining four bodies. We were together with the Chairman of Mangu LGA and he has been up and doing on the matter,” the Chief Iman said.
One of the survivors, identified as Umar Ibrahim, while narrating how the incident happened said: “We were heading to Qua’an Pan to attend a wedding ceremony of our brother when we missed the road.
“We stopped and asked some people for directions, but before we knew it, they surrounded the vehicle and killed twelve people.
“They started beating and attacking us with dangerous weapons. The hoodlums killed the driver first and then attacked others. They burned the bus with the corpses inside. We are now in the hospital, receiving treatment,” the survivor said.
Meanwhile, operatives of the Plateau State police command have arrested 22 persons in connection with the incident. Police Public Relations Officer, Alfred Alabo, in a statement, said: “On June 20th, 2025 at about 09:47 pm, the Plateau State Police Command received credible intelligence revealing that a bus carrying some passengers from Zaria, Kaduna State was attacked by some angry mob in Mangun Village, Mangu Local Government Area.
“Upon receipt of this intelligence, the Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer Mangu division to mobilize men and swiftly race to the scene. On reaching the scene, our men in collaboration with other security agencies quickly dispersed the angry mob and rescued twenty-one (21) victims and rushed them to the hospital where they are currently receiving treatment.
Upon conducting our preliminary investigation, it was revealed that the victims were travelers from Zaria, Kaduna State who were on transit to Qua’an Pan LGA to attend a wedding ceremony when they lost their way; their vehicle was illegally arrested by the angry mob and set ablaze.
“As a result of this unfortunate incident, some of the passengers lost their lives, while seven persons sustained varying degrees of injuries.
“In a display of courage, our men, in collaboration with other security agencies were able to rescue fourteen (14) persons unhurt.
Alabo said that the Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina, in company with heads of other security agencies and members of his management team, visited the scene to assess the situation and put measures in place to forestall further breakdown of law and order.
“Consequently, twenty two (22) suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.
He said that the CP had deployed men from the State Intelligence Department (SID) to Mangu for effective intelligence gathering and to launch an intensive investigation into the matter.
He added that additional policemen from the tactical teams and other operational assets had been drafted to the local government to help in the investigation and ensure the arrest of more suspects.
Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, has expressed deep shock and sorrow over the tragic mob action. A statement by the Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, said Mutfwang, who visited the survivors in the hospital and the scene of the unfortunate incident, expressed profound grief and described the mob action as totally condemnable and avoidable.
Speaking at the scene of the incident, Governor Mutfwang said: “Today is a tragic day for us in Plateau State. I never imagined such a senseless act of violence could occur within our borders, especially considering the commendable efforts of our youths in this community and neighbouring districts who have consistently risen to support security agencies in defending against criminal incursions.
“It is deeply disheartening that the same youths who have shown courage and patriotism would turn around and take the law into their own hands. This is utterly unacceptable, and the government will not sweep it under the carpet. We are working to build a Plateau that is welcoming to all and hospitable to visitors. We have been educating our young people about the importance of allowing free passage on all roads across the state, and this incident has come to us as a rude shock.
“I want to reassure Nigerians that Plateau remains a safe place for all travelers. I have spoken with my colleague, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, to brief him on this unfortunate incident. I have also reached out to His Royal Highness, the Emir of Zazzau, to express my heartfelt condolences over this tragic loss of lives. In the spirit of solidarity, we will be sending a high-level delegation to commiserate with the Government and people of Kaduna State as well as the Zazzau Emirate.”
The Governor extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the government and people of Kaduna State. While acknowledging the pain and frustration of communities under siege, he strongly warned against resorting to jungle justice or mob action regardless of provocation.
He directed the General Hospital in Mangu and all other medical facilities attending to the victims to provide optimal care, assuring that the Plateau State Government would bear the full cost of treatment. The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to standing with the victims and their families during this difficult time.
Mutfwang also charged security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, ensure that justice is served, and implement proactive measures to prevent any recurrence.
In a gesture of solidarity, the Governor has also constituted a high-powered delegation to visit the Kaduna State Government and the families of the deceased in Zaria to convey the heartfelt condolences of the Government and people of Plateau State.
