The Plateau State Police Command has arraigned 22 people suspected of killing travellers in Mangun community, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The victims were attacked while travelling in an 18-seater bus from Basawa in Sabon Gari, Kaduna State, to Qua in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area to attend a wedding.
According to reports, 13 people were killed and several others injured during the attack, which happened when the group of 32 men, women, and children ran into suspected mobs on their way.
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On Thursday, police brought the suspects before the Plateau State High Court in Jos. The prosecuting lawyer, S.I. Ikutanwa, asked the court to allow the suspects to take their plea on four charges.
But the defence lawyer, Garba Pwol, objected, saying two of the suspects were minors—aged 13 and 17. He argued that children should not be made to face such proceedings under the law and asked the court for time to formally challenge the charges.
In response, the prosecutor said the court should remove the names of the two minors and allow the remaining 20 adult suspects to enter their pleas.
Justice Boniface Ngyon, who presided over the case, said it was better to delay the plea until Friday, July 11, 2025. He agreed that the minors should not be included in the current charges.
He ruled, “It is safer not to take the plea today. The prosecution should amend the charges and exclude the minors.”
Justice Ngyon ordered that all the suspects remain in police custody until the next hearing.