From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
Operatives of the Plateau State Police Command have arrested 22 persons in connection with the killing of 12 travellers at Mangun in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Our correspondent had reported that the 12 persons were among passengers travelling from Zaria in Kaduna State to Qua’an Pan in Plateau State for a wedding before they missed their way.
While trying to gain their bearings from some people in Mangun, they were attacked, and 12 people were killed and several others wounded. The vehicle in which they were travelling was also set ablaze.
Police Public Relations Officer, Alfred Alabo, in a statement, said that 21 of the travellers were rescued and rushed to the hospital.
Alabo, in the statement, said, “On Thursday, June 20, 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 mobilise 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 travellers 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 Commissioner of Police 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 have been drafted to the local government to help in the investigation and ensure the arrest of more suspects.
