The Plateau State Police Command has confirmed the arraignment of 22 suspects in connection with the killing of 13 wedding guests in Mangun community, located in Mangu Local Government Area of the state.
NAIJAONPOINT reports that the tragic incident took place on June 20, 2025, when a bus transporting passengers from Kaduna State was ambushed by a mob, leading to multiple fatalities and injuries.
While addressing journalists at the police command headquarters in Jos on Thursday, Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, said the police responded promptly by deploying officers and tactical resources to the crime scene to apprehend the attackers.
He disclosed that investigations had been concluded and the suspects were now set to face trial.
The CP said, “On June 20, 2025, we received a report at the Mangu Division, reporting that a bus carrying passengers from Kaduna State was being attacked by a mob at the Mangun market square, Mangu LGA.
“Upon receipt of this report, I directed the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Mangu Division to mobilise and lead a team of policemen to the scene of the crime. On reaching the scene, our men in collaboration with other security agencies successfully dispersed the mob and rescued 21 victims who were rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.
“While conducting a preliminary investigation, we discovered that the victims were travellers from Zaria, Kaduna State who were on their way to attend a wedding ceremony at Kwa village of Qua’anpan Local Government Area in a 32-seater bus with the inscription, ‘Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria,’ when they lost their way and were unfortunately attacked by a mob at the Mangun village, Mangu LGA of Plateau State.”
Adesina further explained that he ordered the swift deployment of operatives from the State Criminal Investigation Department and State Intelligence Department to the area for detailed investigation and intelligence gathering. He also mobilised tactical teams and other operational units to ensure the perpetrators were apprehended.
“On June 21, 2025, at about 07:00 am, I visited the scene of the crime in the company of my management team and heads of other security agencies to assess the situation and put necessary measures in place to forestall any further breakdown of law and order. Today, I am pleased to announce to you that due to the diligent and swift operation of our men, we have arrested 22 suspects, while six suspects are still at large,” he added.
The CP assured residents of the command’s commitment to ensuring that justice prevails and that all those responsible for the killings are brought to book.
“I wish to use this opportunity to assure the good and peace-loving people of Plateau State that the command, under my leadership, is doing everything within the ambits of our constitutional powers, to ensure that all those involved in the perpetration of this evil and inhuman act are arrested and made to face the full weight of the law. I therefore call on all Plateau citizens, especially the youths to avoid taking the law into their hands, and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or any other security agency.
“I called you here today to keep you abreast with the above development on this case, as an investigation has been concluded and we will be charging the suspects in court immediately after this press briefing.”
The suspects were subsequently arraigned before Justice Boniface Ngyon across four courts, including Court 10 of the Plateau State High Court.
During proceedings, the prosecution counsel, S.I. Ikutanwa, applied for the suspects to take their plea on the four-count charges.
However, defence counsel, Garba Pwol, objected to the plea application, arguing that two of the suspects were minors. He said this rendered the charges incompetent.
Pwol informed the court that the two suspects were aged 13 and 17, noting that Nigerian law prohibits minors from being subjected to such trial procedures. He therefore asked the court for time to formally file an objection.
In response, the prosecuting counsel acknowledged that the two suspects were under 18 and requested that their names be removed from the charge sheet so that the remaining 20 could proceed with their plea.
After hearing both sides, Justice Ngyon ruled that it would be more appropriate to delay the plea and directed the prosecution to file an amended charge excluding the minors.
He then ordered that all the suspects be remanded in police custody and adjourned the case to Friday (today) for further proceedings.