- Police arrest 22 suspects
- It’s a permanent scar – Groom
The death toll has reportedly risen to 13 people in the Friday’s attack on the wedding travellers at Mangun community in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State
Latest reports indicate that aside from the eight corpses recovered on Saturday, June 21, 2025, bodies of the four additional travellers earlier declared missing were recovered on Sunday.
It was further confirmed that one of those initially injured has also been confirmed dead as of the time of filling the report
Speaking on the unfortunate incident, Chief Imam of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a Wa’ikamatis Sunnah and Chairman of the Muslim Consultative Forum in Mangun, Sheik Suleiman Haruna, informed some reporters that the bodies of the four missing travellers were recovered yesterday late on Sunday.
According to him, one of the 19 injured travellers later died at the Mangu General Hospital, taking the death toll to 13 persons.
He disclosed that amid heavy hearts and tears flowing, nine of the victims were buried on Saturday evening at Hayi Burial Ground, Mangun; while the bodies recovered yesterday, Sunday, were interred in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area.
Insiders information from some religious leaders at Mangu indicated that the victims’ relatives gave their approval for the burial in Plateau to avoid tension in their hometowns.
Sheikh Haruna, who led the funeral, urged residents to remain calm and exercise patience, adding, “We are urging both the state and federal governments to intervene and deal decisively with the criminals that perpetrated this act. This will serve as a deterrent to others.
“We are not happy indeed. Every person is entitled to practice his/her religion. Here, we agreed to live peacefully with our own Christian brothers and sisters within our community. Thank God, we have calmed everyone and that is why I am happy.”
Meanwhile, as part of the security alert across the north central state, the presence of military and police personnel were visible on Sunday at strategic locations in Jos, the Plateau State Capital, particularly around the terminus, the Ahmadu Bello Way and the popular Bauchi Junction.
Recalled the victims, comprising 32 men, women and children, were travelling in an 18-seater bus belonging to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, from Basawa community in Zaria, Kaduna State, to Qua’an Pan LGA of Plateau when they were attacked.
Reports said on their way to attend a wedding ceremony, the travelers ran into the assailants’ ambush around 8pm and the attackers also reportedly set the bus conveying them ablaze.
The burnt bus after the passengers attending the wedding ceremony were attacked
Survivors’ Agony, Nightmare
Narrating their nightmarish experience from the attack to reporters, some of the survivors said but for the quick intervention of soldiers stationed near the scene of the incident, the situation would have been worse.
One of them, Ibrahim Umar, said; “We were travelling from Zaria to Qua’an Pan for my cousin’s wedding. The groom’s father, his uncle and younger brother were with us. We explained to the attackers that we were strangers carrying kola nuts and wedding gifts, but they didn’t listen. They killed our loved ones.
“The father and younger brother of the groom were also killed in the incident. The groom’s uncle was also killed. The groom is from Zaria, but lectures at an institution in the area. While teaching, he met a woman, and they agreed to get married.
“We explained everything to the attackers, but they didn’t understand. We told them we were strangers from Kaduna State, heading for a wedding ceremony, but they didn’t agree. We are all members of the same family and community.
“The Soldiers really helped us. They came to rescue us. If not for their quick response, the situation would have been different”.
Saadu Abdullahi, another survivor, said; “We lost our way and entered a village by mistake. We stopped to ask for direction. Suddenly, people began beating us. We told them about the wedding, but they wouldn’t hear us. My elder brothers and younger ones were killed. They took our phones too.”
Another survivor, who simply gave her name as Maimuna, said; “We were in touch with the groom, who told us to ask for direction if we got lost. Sadly, when we stopped to ask, the community turned on us. In a moment, we were surrounded and attacked with stones and dangerous weapons”.
Incident A Permanent Scar – Groom
Also reacting to the unfortunate incident, the groom, Rabi’a Sani, said the immense pain and anguish felt is more than anyone could imagine, adding that the incident was a permanent scar for him.
He said; “The wedding was scheduled for Friday at 2 pm, but our guests were running late. We were in touch with them shortly before the incident. As they were delayed, my father, who was among those killed, and other elderly men in the vehicle, suggested we buy another kola nuts and proceed with the wedding fatiha as they wouldn’t arrive on time.
“After the ceremony, my friends and I were joyful, expecting their arrival soon. Little did we know our happiness would turn to darkness. Around 7 pm, a call came in while I was praying. Soon after the prayer, I called them back, but my calls went unanswered.
“When I called another person who was among the travellers, he informed me about the attack, telling me they were beaten, and some were injured and killed. My joy then turned into anger, sorrow and sadness. I am still grappling with the emotions of that day. I wonder if it was meant to be a day of joy or darkness.
“My wedding became the cause of their deaths. My father, two younger brothers, and my uncle were killed, not to mention those who were injured. My main concern is for the injured to recover and find solace in the will of Allah. I will live to remember this day in my life.”
Appealing to the governor to ensure justice for the deceased, Rabi’a further said; “I had the opportunity to meet Governor Mutfwang at the hospital where he was offering condolences. Although I was able to share some thoughts with him, I regretted not mentioning one crucial point.
“While I firmly believe that what happened was the will of Allah, I implore the governor to ensure justice for our loved ones. We won’t find peace if the perpetrators are left unpunished. Once justice is served, we will have some closure, knowing that our innocent family members deserved better.”
Police Nab 22 Suspects
In a related development, Spokesman of the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, disclosed that 22 suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack.
Alfred said in a statement thus; “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 an 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 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 in 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”, the statement said.
The statement quoted the CP as asking all citizens, especially the youth, to avoid taking the law into their hands and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or any other security agency. – With Daily Trust report
