The Plateau State Police Command says it has arrested 22 suspects in connection with the brutal killing of 12 wedding guests in Mangu Local Government Area.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Alabo Alfred, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday.

Our correspondent had earlier reported that the victims were travelling from Zaria, Kaduna State, to attend a wedding ceremony in Qua’an Pan LGA when their bus was attacked by an angry mob after they lost their way.

According to the police, the incident occurred on June 20, 2025, at about 9:47 p.m., when the attackers set the bus ablaze, resulting in the deaths of some passengers, while seven others sustained injuries.

The statement also revealed that 14 people were rescued unhurt, while 21 persons were evacuated to the hospital for treatment.

“On June 20th, 2025 at about 09:47 p.m., the Plateau State Police Command received credible intelligence revealing that a bus carrying some passengers from Zaria, Kaduna State was attacked by some angry mob in Mangun Village, Mangu Local Government Area.

“Upon receipt of this intelligence, the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer, Mangu Division, to mobilize men and swiftly race to the scene. On reaching the scene, our men, in collaboration with other security agencies, quickly dispersed the angry mob and rescued twenty-one (21) victims and rushed them to the hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.

“Upon conducting our preliminary investigation, it was revealed that the victims were travelers from Zaria, Kaduna State, who were in transit to Quan’pan LGA to attend a wedding ceremony when they lost their way. Their vehicle was illegally stopped by the angry mob and set ablaze. As a result of this unfortunate incident, some of the passengers lost their lives, while seven persons sustained varying degrees of injuries. In a display of courage, our men, in collaboration with other security agencies, were able to rescue fourteen (14) persons unhurt.”

The statement added that the Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina, had since visited the scene and deployed personnel from the State Intelligence Department (SID), State CID, and Tactical Teams to intensify investigations and apprehend more suspects.

“Meanwhile, at about 07:00 a.m. today (Saturday), the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, CP Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina, psc, in company of heads of other security agencies and members of his management team, visited the scene to assess the situation and put measures in place to forestall further breakdown of law and order. Consequently, twenty-two (22) suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.

“The CP has deployed men from the State Intelligence Department (SID) to Mangu for effective intelligence gathering. He has also deployed men from the State CID and directed them to launch an intensive investigation into the matter. Additionally, the Police helmsman has deployed Tactical Teams and other Operational Assets to the LGA to support our investigation and ensure the arrest of more suspects.”

The police assured the public that all efforts are being made to ensure justice is served and warned against taking the law into one’s own hands.

“The Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, wishes to assure the good and peace-loving people of Plateau State that the Command is doing everything within the ambit of its constitutional power to ensure that all those involved in this inhuman act are brought to justice.

“He therefore calls on all citizens, especially the youths, to avoid taking laws into their hands and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or any other security agency. He also advised them to call the following contact numbers in case of any emergency: Plateau State Command Control Room Emergency Numbers: 07059473022, 08038907662, 08075391844, and 09053872296,” the statement added. (The PUNCH)