Killers of wedding travelers won’t go unpunished – Mutfwang

Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, has condemned the attack on the wedding travelers who were murdered in the state, on Friday.

Daily Trust had reported how 31 persons traveling in an 18-seater Bus, belonging to Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (ABU), were attacked by a mob in Plateau.

In a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, the governor who confirmed that eight lives were lost in the incident, said government would not condole any act of criminality in the state.

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“Preliminary reports confirm that the victims, who were traveling from Zaria in Kaduna State to Quan’pan Local Government Area of Plateau State for a wedding, lost their way and inadvertently ran into a tense and volatile situation in Mangun, a community grappling with sustained terrorist attacks,” the statement read.

“Tragically, the incident resulted in the loss of eight innocent lives, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Mangu. Governor Mutfwang, who visited the survivors in the hospital and the scene of the unfortunate incident, expressed profound grief and described the mob action as totally condemnable and avoidable.

“He noted with sadness that the Mangun District and adjoining districts of Chakfem in Mangu LGA and Mushere in Bokkos LGA have, for over a month, suffered coordinated terrorist assaults resulting in daily casualties and mass displacements, plunging communities into mourning and distress,” the statement said.

Bere, however, said the governor emphasized that the prolonged attacks in the area do not justify such a “senseless” act against innocent commuters.

The Director of Press quoted the governor at the scene of the incident as saying “Today is a tragic day for us in Plateau State. I never imagined such a senseless act of violence could occur within our borders, especially considering the commendable efforts of our youths in this community and neighbouring districts who have consistently risen to support security agencies in defending against criminal incursions.

“It is deeply disheartening that the same youths who have shown courage and patriotism would turn around and take the law into their own hands. This is utterly unacceptable, and the government will not sweep it under the carpet. We are working to build a Plateau that is welcoming to all and hospitable to visitors. We have been educating our young people about the importance of allowing free passage on all roads across the state, and this incident has come to us as a rude shock.

“I want to reassure Nigerians that Plateau remains a safe place for all travelers. I have spoken with my colleague, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, to brief him on this unfortunate incident. I have also reached out to His Royal Highness, the Emir of Zazzau, to express my heartfelt condolences over this tragic loss of lives. In the spirit of solidarity, we will be sending a high-level delegation to commiserate with the Government and people of Kaduna State as well as the Zazzau Emirate.”

The governor extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the government and people of Kaduna State, stressing that such acts of violence have no place in a civilized society, warning against resorting to jungle justice or mob action regardless of provocation.

According to Bere, the governor directed the General Hospital in Mangu and all other medical facilities attending to the victims to provide optimal care, assuring that the Plateau State Government will bear the full cost of treatment.

Governor Mutfwang also charged security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, ensure that justice is served, and implement proactive measures to prevent any recurrence.