The Plateau State Police Command said yesterday that it had arrested 22 suspects in respect of the killing of some travelers from Kaduna State who were billed to attend a wedding in Quan’pan Local Government Area.

Spokesman of the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, who disclosed this in a statement, also revealed that 14 people were rescued unhurt, while 21 persons were evacuated to the hospital for treatment.

No fewer than 12 wedding guests from Zaria, Kaduna State were attacked and killed by a mob in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State on Friday after they lost their way and inadvertently ran into a tense and volatile situation in Mangun, a community that is grappling with sustained terrorist attacks.

It was gathered that some of the travellers sustained various degree of injuries and were rushed to different hospitals in Mangu for medical attention.

The Nation reports that more than 18 travellers comprising men, women and children in an 18-seater bus belonging to Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (ABU), were attacked by the hoodlums at about 9.47 pm.

The driver of the bus, an employee of ABU, was also hacked to death in the process.

The 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 more than 20 travelers in the bus. Now we have eight 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, Ibrahim Umar, said: “We were heading to Qua’an Pan to attend the wedding of our brother when we missed the road.

“We stopped and asked some people for direction, but before we knew it, they surrounded the vehicle and killed 12 people.

“They started by beating and attacking us with dangerous weapons. They killed the driver first and then attacked others.

“They burnt the bus with the corpses inside. We are now in the hospital, receiving treatment.”

In a statement yesterday, the spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, vowed that all hands were on deck to ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous act were brought to book.

The statement reads: “On June 20th, 2025 at about 09:47 p.m., 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 travelers from Zaria, Kaduna State, who were in transit to Quan’pan LGA to attend a wedding ceremony when they lost their way.

“Their vehicle was illegally stopped 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.”

The statement added that the Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina, had since visited the scene and deployed personnel from the State Intelligence Department (SID), State CID, and Tactical Teams to intensify investigations and apprehend more suspects.

“Meanwhile, at about 07:00 a.m. today (Saturday), the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, CP Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina, psc, in company of 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.

“The CP has deployed men from the State Intelligence Department (SID) to Mangu for effective intelligence gathering.

“He has also deployed men from the State CID and directed them to launch an intensive investigation into the matter.

“Additionally, the police helmsman has deployed Tactical Teams and other Operational Assets to the LGA to support our investigation and ensure the arrest of more suspects.”

The police assured the public that all hands were on deck to ensure that justice is served, and warned against anyone taking the law into their own hands.

“The Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, wishes to assure the good and peace-loving people of Plateau State that 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.

“He therefore calls on all citizens, especially the youths, to avoid taking the law into their hands and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or any other security agency.

“He also advised them to call the following contact numbers in case of any emergency: Plateau State Command Control Room Emergency Numbers: 07059473022, 08038907662, 08075391844 and 09053872296,” the statement added.

Mutfwang expresses shock, condemns killings

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, yesterday expressed deep shock and sorrow over the tragic mob action that claimed the lives of 12 travellers in Mangun District of Mangu Local Government Area at about 9.47 pm pm on Friday.

Governor Mutfwang, who visited the survivors in the hospital and the scene of the incident, expressed profound grief, describing the mob action as totally condemnable and avoidable.

He noted with sadness that Mangun and the adjoining districts of Chakfem in Mangu LGA and Mushere in Bokkos LGA have for over a month suffered coordinated terrorist assaults resulting in daily casualties and mass displacements, plunging communities into mourning and distress.

He, however, said the prolonged attacks do not justify such a senseless act against innocent commuters.

Speaking at the scene of the incident, Governor Mutfwang said:  “Today is a tragic day for us in Plateau State.

“I never imagined that 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.”

The distraught governor, however, assured that Plateau State remains a safe place for all travellers.

He said: “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.”