Plateau killings: Death toll hits 13 as survivors narrate ordeal

The death toll of the Friday’s attack on the wedding travellers at Mangun community in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State has risen to 13.

In addition to the eight corpses that were recovered on Saturday, the bodies of the four travellers earlier declared missing were said to be recovered yesterday; while one of those injured was also confirmed dead.

The victims, comprising 32 men, women and children, were travelling in an 18-seater bus belonging to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, from Basawa community in Zaria, Kaduna State, to Qua’an Pan LGA of Plateau when they were attacked.

They were said to be travelling to attend a wedding ceremony when they ran into the assailants around 8pm. The attackers also reportedly set ablaze the bus conveying them.

Sheik Suleiman Haruna, 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 bodies of the four missing travellers were recovered yesterday.

He said one of the 19 injured travellers later died at the Mangu General Hospital, taking the death toll to 13.

Nine of the victims were buried amid tears on Saturday evening at Hayi Burial Ground, Mangun; while the bodies recovered yesterday were interred in Qua’an Pan LGA.

Religious leaders at Mangu said the victims’ relatives gave their consent for the burial in Plateau to avoid tension in their hometowns.

Sheikh Haruna, who led the funeral, urged residents to remain calm and exercise patience.

He said: “We are urging both the state and federal governments to intervene and deal decisively with the criminals that perpetrated this act. This will serve as a deterrent to others.

“We are not happy indeed. Every person is entitled to practice his/her religion. Here, we agreed to live peacefully with our own Christian brothers and sisters within our community. Thank God, we have calmed everyone and that is why I am happy.”

It was observed that military and police personnel were yesterday stationed at strategic locations in Jos, Plateau State Capital, including the terminus, the Ahmadu Bello Way and the Bauchi Junction.

Some of the survivors, who spoke to Daily Trust, narrated how they were attacked.

One of them, Ibrahim Umar, recounted: “We were travelling from Zaria to Qua’an Pan for my cousin’s wedding. The groom’s father, his uncle and younger brother were with us. We explained to the attackers that we were strangers carrying kola nuts and wedding gifts, but they didn’t listen. They killed our loved ones.

“The father and younger brother of the groom were also killed in the incident. The groom’s uncle was also killed.

“The groom is from Zaria, but lectures at an institution in the area. While teaching, he met a woman, and they agreed to get married. We explained everything to the attackers, but they didn’t understand. We told them we were strangers from Kaduna State, heading for a wedding ceremony, but they didn’t agree. We are all members of the same family and community.”

He said but for the intervention of the soldiers stationed near the scene of the incident, the situation would have been worse.

“The soldiers really helped us. They came to rescue us. If not for their quick response, the situation would have been different,” he said.

Another survivor, Saadu Abdullahi, stated: “We lost our way and entered a village by mistake. We stopped to ask for direction. Suddenly, people began beating us. We told them about the wedding, but they wouldn’t hear us. My elder brothers and younger ones were killed. They took our phones too.”

Another survivor, who simply gave her name as Maimuna, said: “We were in touch with the groom, who told us to ask for direction if we got lost. Sadly, when we stopped to ask, the community turned on us. In a moment, we were surrounded and attacked with stones and dangerous weapons”.

In an interview with Daily Trust on sunday, Rabi’a Sani, the groom said he felt immense pains more than anyone could imagine, adding that the incident was a permanent scar for him.

“The wedding was scheduled for Friday at 2 pm, but our guests were running late. We were in touch with them shortly before the incident. As they were delayed, my father, who was among those killed, and other elderly men in the vehicle, suggested we buy another kola nuts and proceed with the wedding fatiha as they wouldn’t arrive on time.

“After the ceremony, my friends and I were joyful, expecting their arrival soon. Little did we know our happiness would turn to darkness. Around 7 pm, a call came in while I was praying. Soon after the prayer, I called them back, but my calls went unanswered.

“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 justice for the deceased.

“I had the opportunity to meet Governor Mutfwang at the hospital where he was offering condolences. Although I was able to share some thoughts with him, I regretted not mentioning one crucial point. While I firmly believe that what happened was the will of Allah, I implore the governor to ensure justice for our loved ones. We won’t find peace if the perpetrators are left unpunished. Once justice is served, we will have some closure, knowing that our innocent family members deserved better.”