JUST IN: Youths Attack ABU Zaria Bus in Plateau, Kill 8, Injure 19

Youths Attack ABU Zaria Bus in Plateau, Kill 8, Injure 19

Tragedy struck in Manjul community of Mangu Local Government Area in Plateau State on Friday evening when a bus belonging to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, carrying 31 passengers was attacked by local youths. The assault left eight people dead and 19 others injured.

The victims, mostly Hausa Muslims, were reportedly en route to Qua’anpan Local Government Area to attend a wedding when their driver missed the road at Kyarang junction. According to one of the survivors, Ibrahim Umar, the group stopped to ask for directions but was quickly set upon by an angry mob.

“We were heading to Qua for a friend’s wedding,” Umar said. “At Kyarang junction, the driver took a wrong turn. We stopped in a village to ask for directions. Some people began shouting, ‘These are Hausa people, let’s kill them.’ They attacked us with machetes, sticks, and stones. Eight people died on the spot, and the driver was the first to be killed. They set the bus on fire, burning several of the bodies. Four others are still missing. Nineteen of us are now in the Mangu General Hospital.”

The Chairman of Mangu Local Government Council, Emmanuel Bala, confirmed the incident and described it as a tragic case of mistaken identity. According to him, tensions were already high in the area due to a recent attack, and the community was on edge following reports of a possible reprisal by bandits.

“The youths were on alert due to earlier violence. Sadly, when the travellers mistakenly entered the area, they were wrongly assumed to be a threat and attacked by a mob,” Mr Bala said. “It is a deeply unfortunate incident, and I personally visited the scene. Eight were confirmed dead, and security operatives are investigating.”

The victims were travelling in an official ABU Zaria bus and were mostly young people. Authorities have called for calm as investigations continue.