The Plateau State Police Command has announced the commencement of the trial of the 22 suspects arrested in connection with the death of 13 wedding guests in Mangun community, Mangu Local Government Area of the state.
PUNCH Metro reports that the incident occurred on June 20, 2025, when a bus carrying passengers from Kaduna State was attacked by a mob, resulting in the deaths and injuries of several people.
Addressing journalists at the command’s headquarters in Jos on Thursday, the state Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, said the police command had swiftly responded to the incident, deploying men and operational assets to the scene to ensure the arrest of the perpetrators.
He added that the command had also concluded investigations and would be charging the suspects in court.
The CP said, “On June 20, 2025, we received a report at the Mangu Division, reporting that a bus carrying passengers from Kaduna State was being attacked by a mob at the Mangun market square, Mangu LGA.
“Upon receipt of this report, I directed the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Mangu Division to mobilise and lead a team of policemen to the scene of the 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’anpan 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 a mob at the Mangun village, Mangu LGA of Plateau State.”
He further said that in light of the foregoing, he ordered the immediate deployment of men from the State Criminal Investigation Department and State Intelligence Department to Mangu Local Government Area for investigation and intelligence gathering. He also said he deployed tactical teams and other operational assets to the LGA to aid investigation and ensure that the perpetrators of this evil act were arrested and brought to justice.
“On June 21, 2025, at about 07:00 am, I visited the scene of the crime in the 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 22 suspects, while six suspects are still at large,” he concluded.
The CP assured the people that the command was committed to ensuring that all those involved in the perpetration of the act were brought to justice.
He called on citizens, especially the youths, to avoid taking the law into their hands and to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or security agency.
“I wish to use this opportunity to assure the good and peace-loving people of Plateau State that the command, under my leadership, is doing everything within the ambits of our constitutional powers, to ensure that all those involved in the perpetration of this evil and inhuman act are arrested and made to face the full weight of the law. I therefore call on all Plateau citizens, especially the youths to avoid taking the law into their hands, and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or any other security agency.
“I called you here today to keep you abreast with the above development on this case, as an investigation has been concluded and we will be charging the suspects in court immediately after this press briefing.”
The suspects were later arraigned in four courts before Justice Boniface Ngyon, at Court 10 of the Plateau State High Court.
When the case was called, the prosecution counsel, S.I. Ikutanwa, sought the court’s permission for the suspects to take their plea on the four-count charges.
However, the defence counsel, Garba Pwol, objected to the plea application, citing that two of the 22 suspects were minors, which rendered the charges incompetent.
According to the defence counsel, the two suspects in question were 13 and 17 years old, pointing out that the law does not allow minors to be exposed to such proceedings. The defence counsel asked the court for time to file an objection.
Responding to the defence counsel’s position, the prosecuting counsel argued that since two of the suspects were below 18 years, their names should be expunged, and the remaining 20 suspects allowed to take their plea.
After hearing the arguments presented by both counsel, Justice Ngyon ruled that it was safer not to take their plea on Thursday, noting that instead, an amended plea would be taken on Friday, excluding the minors.
Justice Ngyon therefore ordered the accused persons to be remanded in police custody and adjourned the case to Friday (today} to enable the prosecution to amend the charges.
James Abraham
