The Plateau State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 22 individuals suspected to be involved in the June 20 attack on travellers in Mangun village, Mangu Local Government Area.

According to the state police spokesperson, Alabo Alfred, the victims were journeying from Zaria, Kaduna State, to attend a wedding in Qua’an Pan when their vehicle was intercepted by a mob. The bus was reportedly set ablaze around 9:47 p.m., resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.

Preliminary investigations, according to the statement issued Saturday, suggest the bus was attacked after the passengers lost their way. The police said seven persons sustained injuries, while 14 others were rescued without harm. Twenty-one people were taken to hospital.

“The Plateau State Police Command received credible intelligence revealing that a bus carrying some passengers from Zaria, Kaduna State was attacked by an angry mob in Mangun village,” Alfred stated.

Police Commissioner Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina visited the scene on Saturday morning alongside other senior officers. He directed that personnel from the State Intelligence Department, State CID, and Tactical Units be deployed to Mangu.

According to the police, “Twenty-two suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident,” and investigations are ongoing to apprehend additional perpetrators.

One of the survivors, Ibrahim Umar, said the group was attacked after seeking directions. “We were heading to Qua’an Pan to attend a wedding ceremony of our brother when we missed the road because we didn’t know it. We stopped and asked some people for directions, but before we knew it, they surrounded the vehicle, shouting that we should be killed.”

He added, “They started beating and attacking us with dangerous weapons. The mob killed the driver first and then attacked others. They burned the bus with the corpses inside.”

Sheikh Suleiman Haruna, Chief Imam of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a Wa’ikamatis Sunnah, confirmed that eight bodies were recovered and deposited at Mangu General Hospital.

He said efforts were ongoing to locate four more victims.

The police urged residents to refrain from taking the law into their hands and to report suspicious activity.
“The Command is doing everything within the ambit of its constitutional power to ensure that all those involved in this inhuman act are brought to justice,” said Alfred.