20 Suspects Arraigned Over Plateau Wedding Travelers' Killings, Two Minors Excluded
The wheels of justice have begun to turn in the tragic case of the June 20, 2025, attack on wedding travelers in Mangun, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State. A total of 20 suspects have been formally arraigned before Justice Boniface Ngyon at Court 10 of the Plateau State High Court in Jos, facing charges including criminal conspiracy, arson, and culpable homicide.
This development follows the horrific incident where a mob ambushed a 32-seater bus carrying travelers, primarily from Zaria, Kaduna State, who were en route to a wedding in Kwa village. The bus, reportedly belonging to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, had inadvertently entered the tense Mangun market square. The assailants set the vehicle ablaze, leading to the deaths of at least 13 people and leaving several others with severe injuries, including burns and machete wounds. Survivors recounted harrowing tales of being beaten and hacked before their bodies were thrown back into the burning bus.
The Plateau State Police Command, under Commissioner of Police Emmanuel Adesina, acted swiftly, deploying tactical teams, SCID, and SID operatives to Mangu. Their diligent efforts led to the initial arrest of 22 suspects. While six others remain at large, the focus has now shifted to the judicial process.
During the initial arraignment on July 10, the defense counsel raised an objection, pointing out that two of the 22 suspects were minors, aged 13 and 17, rendering the charges incompetent for them. The court upheld this objection, deferring the plea-taking and ordering the prosecution to amend the charges to exclude the minors.
Consequently, on July 11, the police re-arraigned 20 adult suspects. All 20 defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against them. The court has since remanded them in police custody, and the case has been adjourned for further proceedings.
The incident continues to draw widespread condemnation from across the nation. Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and President Bola Tinubu have both expressed their profound sorrow and shock, reiterating their commitment to ensuring that justice is fully served for the victims and their families. This pursuit of justice underscores the urgent need to address mob violence and ease inter-communal tensions that continue to plague parts of Plateau State.
