Police Nab 22 Suspects in Brutal Plateau Bus Attack; Nine Confirmed Dead
Mangu, Plateau State – Nigerian police have made a significant breakthrough, arresting 22 suspects following a horrific mob attack on a passenger bus in Mangun village, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Friday, June 20, 2025, at approximately 9:47 p.m. The brutal incident left nine passengers confirmed dead and several others injured.
The Fatal Journey
The ill-fated bus, reportedly belonging to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, was transporting passengers from Zaria, Kaduna State, to Quan'pan Local Government Area in Plateau State for a wedding ceremony. The victims tragically lost their way and stopped to ask for directions when they were intercepted by a mob. Initial investigations suggest the mob either mistook them for gunmen or targeted them based on ethnic and religious profiling, a concerning pattern in Nigeria's North Central region. The mob then set the vehicle ablaze.
Casualties and Rescues
While early reports varied, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has now confirmed that nine of the passengers were murdered, and three sustained injuries. Earlier figures from Amnesty International and local police had indicated death tolls of 12 and 8, respectively. In total, 21 passengers were rescued, with 14 found unharmed and seven requiring hospital treatment.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
The 22 suspects were apprehended during a swift security operation launched after the attack. IGP Egbetokun assured the public that the suspects "will face the full rights of the law in court." The Plateau State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, Alabo Alfred, confirmed the arrests and stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend more individuals connected to the crime. Both the State Intelligence Department and the State Criminal Investigation Department have been deployed to Mangu to gather intelligence and thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the heinous attack.
Calls for Justice and Calm
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang strongly condemned the mob's actions and urged residents to remain calm. President Bola Tinubu also decried the attack, emphasizing that such extreme violence will not be tolerated. Authorities, including Police Commissioner Emmanuel Adeshina, have pledged to ensure that all those responsible are brought to justice and that measures are put in place to prevent any future recurrence.
This incident tragically highlights the volatile security landscape in Nigeria's north-central region, which continues to grapple with farmer-herder clashes, armed gang attacks, and deeply concerning instances of identity-based violence.
