A tragic incident unfolded on Friday evening in the Mangun District of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, where a mob attacked an 18-seater bus conveying wedding guests from the Basawa community, Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State, to a wedding ceremony in Qua’an Pan LGA, Plateau State. The travelers, reportedly 31 in number and including men, women, and children, inadvertently lost their way and encountered a volatile situation. Initial reports from Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani indicated 12 citizens killed and 11 others injured in the brutal assault. However, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang later confirmed that eight lives were tragically lost, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani vehemently condemned the killings, describing them as "acts of savagery" that demand swift action. In a statement on Saturday, he called on security agencies to "fish out and bring the criminal elements to justice," emphasizing that "this madness must stop. Enough is enough." Governor Sani also urged his Plateau State counterpart, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, to take "full charge of the situation" and direct security operations until the murderers are apprehended. He committed to personally following up on investigations and field operations, while also appealing to Kaduna citizens to remain calm and highlighting the state's progress in peacebuilding with the "Kaduna Peace Model."

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, deeply grieved by the attack, also condemned the "senseless" mob action as "totally condemnable and avoidable." He visited the survivors at the General Hospital in Mangu and the scene of the incident. Governor Mutfwang acknowledged that Mangun and adjoining districts have suffered sustained terrorist attacks for over a month, but stressed that these prolonged conflicts do not justify violence against innocent commuters. He reaffirmed Plateau State's commitment to being welcoming and hospitable to all travelers and confirmed communication with Governor Sani of Kaduna and the Emir of Zazzau. The Plateau State Government has pledged to cover the full cost of medical treatment for the injured and has tasked security agencies with a thorough investigation to ensure justice and prevent recurrence.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu joined the chorus of condemnations, directing the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and other security and intelligence agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those responsible. He called for calm and vowed that the "dastardly act" would not go unpunished, stressing that "freedom of movement by all citizens is non-negotiable." President Tinubu urged the Plateau State Government to take "decisive action" to address the "vicious cycles of violence" and use this incident as a deterrent. Former Kano State Governor and NNPP leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, also condemned the "barbaric mob action," calling for the perpetrators to be "fished out and prosecuted" and urging traditional, religious, and government stakeholders to educate the public against mob violence.

In a swift response, the Plateau State Police Command confirmed the arrest of 22 suspects allegedly involved in the attack. Police Public Relations Officer, Alabo Alfred, stated that upon receiving intelligence, the Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, directed an immediate intervention. A police team, collaborating with other security agencies, successfully dispersed the mob, rescued 21 other passengers (14 unharmed, 7 injured), and transported the injured to a hospital. The State Intelligence Department and State Criminal Investigation Department have been deployed to gather intelligence and investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack. The police have urged residents to cooperate with information to aid the investigation and prevent further unrest.

The victims, who were residents of the Basawa-Anguwan Rimi community in Zaria, Kaduna State, were laid to rest on Saturday evening at Hayi Muslim Cemetery in Plateau State, amid tight security. Religious leaders in Mangu indicated that relatives consented to the burial in Plateau to avoid escalating tensions in their hometowns. During the funeral prayers, Muslim faithful were urged to accept the incident as divine will and refrain from taking the law into their own hands, with assurances that the government is committed to punishing the perpetrators. This tragic event underscores the ongoing security challenges in central Nigeria, particularly in Plateau, Benue, and Kaduna states, and highlights the urgent need for robust cooperation between law enforcement and communities to restore lasting peace and stability.