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• How Plateau handled Mangu tragedy
From Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
On June 20, 2025, at about 9:47pm, a bus carrying some passengers from Zaria, Kaduna State, was attacked by an angry mob in Mangun, Mangu Local Government, Plateau State. They were on transit to Qua’an Pan LG to attend wedding of one Rabia Sani, when they lost their lives that Friday night.
Their vehicle was commandeered by an angry mob and set ablaze. Twenty-one of them were rescued and rushed to hospital.
Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina, said some lost their lives, seven of them sustained varying degrees of injuries and 14 rescued unhurt.
Twenty-two suspects were arrested while the police and other security agencies have taken measures to forestall further breach of peace.
There were fears of reprisals. However, these may no longer happen given the nerve-calming efforts embarked upon by the authorities to comfort the families of the victims.
Aside the medical treatment, the arrest of the suspects as well as ensuring the situation did not degenerate, a delegation was despatched to Zaria Emirate Council by the Plateau State Government.
Leader of the delegation, Emir of Wase and Chairman, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Plateau State, Muhammadu Sambo Haruna, commiserated with the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamali, the people of the emirate and the Kaduna State over the sad incident.
He appreciated the existing bond between Plateau and Kaduna state. He urged the people of the two states not to let the incident diminish or dent their long standing relationship.
He offered prayers for the souls of the deceased and sought healing for those injured in the mob action. The host monarch, Bamalli, stressed the need for tolerance, peace and mutual respect among people, regardless of ethnic or religious differences.
He called for calm among his people and urged the media to promote peaceful coexistence rather than escalate tension, insisting that such an inhuman act should certainly not happened, especially in the 21st century.
Yakubu Yusuf, who spoke for the bereaved families, expressed bitterness over the loss of their loved ones but admitted that they were consoled by the presence of the delegation, who was in the town to commiserate with them. He appealed to the state government to consider the assisting those who lost their breadwinners on account of the tragic murder.
Muslim community in Plateau State commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang addressing the situation. Chief Imam, Jos Central Mosque, Ghazali Adam, said: “The efforts of the Plateau State government are commendable, the state government had wanted to go to Zaria immediately it happened, but was advised to hold on based on security advice until it was the right time for the visit.
“The governor was there in Mangun and was in Abuja, he ensured that the wounded were transferred to Shinkafi in Zaria for treatment.
“He has taken responsibility the for medical bills of those injured and the burial expenses of those who lost their lives. An emergency meeting was held by the Emir of Kanam when this thing happened and there were calls for calm among the Muslim Ummah in the state.
“We have been preaching to the Ummah to give peace a chance because the unfortunate incident wasn’t in anyway a plan thing. Those suspects that were arrested, already the security are on that and there is every assurance of justice to the victims.
“So, the entire efforts of the Plateau State Government is commendable and we call on all youths, not just Muslim youths, but youths across all religion to give peace a chance. No meaningful development and investment can come to Plateau State because it will always be seen as a red zone, not good for investment” he stated.
