By Pauline Podka
THE Plateau State Police Command has arraigned 22 suspects in connection with the killing of 13 wedding guests travelling from Kaduna to Plateau on June 20, 2025.
The wedding guests were travelling in a 32-seater bus belonging to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, en route from Mangu to Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State when they were attacked at Mangun after missing their way.
However, there was drama in court on Thursday, July 10, 2025, as the suspects were brought before Justice Boniface Ngyou of the Plateau State High Court.
After presenting the suspects before the trial justice and before the charges could be read, the Defence Counsel, Garba Pwol, SAN, raised an objection that the charges should not be read as there were minors among them.
The Prosecuting Counsel, I. K. Ikueanwa, agreed with the defence counsel and requested an adjournment until Friday, July 11, 2025.
The trial judge thereby adjourned the case and directed the prosecutors to amend the charges accordingly.
Addressing newsmen in his office on Thursday, Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina, accused the suspects of criminal conspiracy, causing grievous hurt, mischief by fire, armed robbery, and culpable homicide.
He said the suspects were arrested based on information gathered from the scene, which led to their being picked up in various places.
Giving the genesis of what happened, the commissioner said, “On 20th June 2025, we received a report at Mangu Division, reporting that a bus carrying passengers from Kaduna State was being attacked by an angry mob at Mangun market square, Mangu LGA.
“Upon receipt of this report, I directed the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Mangu Division to mobilize and lead a team of Policemen to the scene of 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’an Pan 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 an angry mob at Mangun village, Mangu LGA of Plateau State.
“In light of the foregoing, I ordered the immediate deployment of men from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and State Intelligence Department (SID) to Mangu Local Government Area for the purpose of investigation and intelligence gathering.
“I also deployed Tactical teams and other operational assets to the LGA to aid our investigation and ensure that the perpetrators of this evil act are arrested and brought to justice.
“On 21st June, 2025, at about 07:00 am, I personally visited the scene of crime in 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 twenty-two (22) suspects, while six (6) suspects are still at large.”
He pledged to ensure that justice was done while pleading with residents not to take laws into their own hands.
The commissioner enjoined residents to show compassion, adding that this would not have happened if the residents had simply shown the travellers the way out.