Youths Attack ABU Zaria Bus with 31 Occupants in Plateau, Leaving 8 Dead
A total of eight individuals have been reported dead, and 19 more sustained injuries after an attack was carried out on a bus from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, which was transporting 31 passengers through the Manjul community in the Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attack occurred on Friday evening when the group, en route to a wedding in Qua’anpan Local Government Area, got lost near Kyarang junction and stopped to ask for directions.
Recounting the experience, one of the victims, Ibrahim Umar, claimed that the group was intentionally attacked after inquiring about directions.
He explained, “We were coming from Zaria and heading to Qua’anpan Local Government Area for a friend’s wedding. He teaches at a school in Qua. Our driver missed the road at Kyarang junction.”
“At around 6pm, we stopped in a community to ask for directions. Some of them said, ‘These are Hausa people; let’s kill them.’”
“They surrounded the bus and began attacking us with sticks, machetes, and stones. They beat us severely. Eight people died on the spot, and four others are still missing.”
“They first killed the driver and then set the bus on fire, burning seven of the bodies.”
“There were 31 of us on board. The bus belongs to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Nineteen of us are now receiving treatment at the Mangu General Hospital,” Mr Umar said.
Providing confirmation, the Chairman of Mangu Local Government Council, Emmanuel Bala, stated that the attack happened in error.
He explained: “Due to the earlier incident where people were attacked, members of the Manjul community had received report that bandits might strike again. The youths were therefore on the alert. Unfortunately, some travellers heading to Quan’pan mistakenly took the road to Mangu and were attacked by a mob.”
“The travellers were 31 in a bus. I personally visited the scene. Eight people were confirmed dead, and the deceased and injured were taken to the General Hospital in Mangu.”
“Security personnel are investigating the incident.”
“It is unfortunate that innocent people—Hausa Muslims—were attacked and killed,” Mr Bala lamented.
