A wedding journey turned tragic on Friday night when a commercial vehicle conveying 31 passengers from Kaduna State was ambushed by armed youths in Plateau State, resulting in the brutal murder of at least 12 individuals and injuries to 19 others.
The horrifying incident occurred around 8:00 p.m. at Kyarang junction in the Manjul community, located within Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State. The victims, including men, women, and children, were travelling from Basawa in Zaria LGA, Kaduna State, en route to Qua’an Pan LGA to attend a wedding ceremony.
According to survivors, the travellers were in an 18-seater bus owned by Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and had missed their way. While attempting to ask locals for directions, they were suddenly ambushed by a violent mob armed with deadly weapons.
One of the survivors, Ibrahim Umar, recounted the horrifying moments to Daily Trust: “We were on our way to attend our brother’s wedding in Qua’an Pan but got lost. We stopped to ask for directions, not knowing we had entered a hostile area. Suddenly, a group surrounded our bus, shouting that we should be killed.
“They started beating us and using dangerous weapons. They killed the driver first, then attacked others. They set the vehicle on fire with bodies inside. I survived and am currently receiving treatment in the hospital.”
Security sources revealed that the ambush was carried out by suspected youths from Mangun village in Mangu LGA. They confirmed that the attackers intercepted the bus around 9:47 p.m. and launched a brutal assault before setting the vehicle ablaze.
“Seven passengers died instantly, their lives cruelly snuffed out. Another victim was critically injured, and six more sustained various degrees of wounds,” a security operative told reporters.
“The bus, now a charred skeleton, remains a harrowing reminder of the night’s senseless violence.”
Fortunately, 14 of the passengers were rescued, thanks to the swift intervention of some local leaders. Their actions likely prevented an even greater loss of life.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Mangu Local Government Council, Emmanuel Bala, described the attack as a tragic case of mistaken identity.
“There was tension in the area due to earlier reports of attacks, and youths in the Manjul community were on high alert. Unfortunately, they received wrong information about the travellers, assuming they were a threat. It is a terrible mistake that has cost innocent lives,” he said.
Bala confirmed that eight bodies were recovered from the scene and transported, along with the injured, to the General Hospital in Mangu.
“This is deeply saddening. The victims were innocent Hausa Muslims heading for a celebration. This act must be thoroughly investigated,” he added.
The Chief Imam of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a Wa’ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Suleiman Haruna, also verified the fatalities.
“Out of the 31 people who were in the bus, eight bodies are now in the hospital. We are working with security agencies to retrieve the remaining four bodies,” he said.
Authorities have promised to investigate the attack thoroughly and ensure justice is served. The incident has sparked fresh concerns over the fragile state of security in Plateau State and the dangers of rising communal tension.