The death toll from the Friday attack on wedding travellers in Mangun community, located in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, has reportedly risen to 13.
According to Daily Trust, in addition to the eight corpses recovered on Saturday, the bodies of four travellers who had previously been declared missing were found the following day. One of the injured victims was also confirmed to have died, bringing the total number of fatalities to 13.
The victims, numbering 32 and including men, women, and children, were said to be travelling in an 18-seater bus belonging to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. They had departed from the Basawa community in Zaria, Kaduna State, en route to Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State to attend a wedding ceremony when they were ambushed around 8:00 p.m. The attackers reportedly set the bus ablaze after the assault.
Sheik Suleiman Haruna, the Chief Imam of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a Wa’ikamatis Sunnah and Chairman of the Muslim Consultative Forum in Mangun, told Daily Trust that the four missing bodies were recovered on Sunday. He added that one of the 19 injured travellers later died at the Mangu General Hospital, increasing the death toll.
According to him, nine of the victims were buried on Saturday evening at the Hayi Burial Ground in Mangun, while the four bodies recovered the next day were interred in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area. He also noted that religious leaders in Mangu disclosed that the families of the deceased had given their consent for the burial to take place in Plateau State in order to prevent possible unrest in their home communities.
A Daily Trust correspondent observed that security was heightened in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, with military and police personnel deployed to strategic locations including the Terminus Market, Ahmadu Bello Way, and Bauchi Junction.
In an interview with the correspondent on the previous day, the groom, Rabi’a Sani, expressed that he was experiencing an overwhelming pain that words could hardly capture. He described the incident as a lasting scar that would remain with him for the rest of his life.
He explained that the wedding had been scheduled for Friday at 2 p.m., but some of their guests were delayed on the road. He mentioned that they had been in contact with the travellers shortly before the tragic incident occurred. Given the delay, his father—who was later confirmed to be among those killed—and some other elderly men in the vehicle, suggested that they purchase another batch of kola nuts and proceed with the wedding fatiha, since the guests were not likely to arrive on time.
He went on to say that after the ceremony, he and his friends were filled with joy, looking forward to the arrival of their guests. However, unbeknownst to them, their joy was about to be replaced with grief. He recalled that around 7 p.m., he received a phone call while he was in the middle of prayers. After concluding the prayer, he tried to return the call, but none of his attempts to reach them were successful, as his calls went unanswered.
Further talking, he said, “When I called another person who was among the travellers, he informed me about the attack, telling me they were beaten, and some were injured and killed. My joy then turned into anger, sorrow and sadness. I am still grappling with the emotions of that day. I wonder if it was meant to be a day of joy or darkness.”
“My wedding became the cause of their deaths. My father, two younger brothers, and my uncle were killed, not to mention those who were injured. My main concern is for the injured to recover and find solace in the will of Allah. I will live to remember this day in my life.”
He appealed to the governor to ensure that justice was served for those who lost their lives in the attack.
He recounted that he had the opportunity to meet Governor Caleb Mutfwang at the hospital, where the governor had come to offer his condolences. Although he had been able to express some of his thoughts during their brief interaction, he said he later regretted not mentioning a particularly important point. While he maintained his belief that the tragic event was ultimately the will of Allah, he strongly urged the governor to take deliberate steps to ensure that justice was done for their loved ones.
He stressed that without accountability, there would be no peace for the grieving families. According to him, justice for the victims would offer some measure of closure and comfort, as their innocent relatives deserved far better than the fate that had befallen them.
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