Twenty-two suspects have been arraigned before the Plateau State High Court in Jos over the horrific lynching of 13 innocent wedding guests attacked in the Mangun community of Mangu Local Government Area on June 20, 2025. The victims, mostly youths from Zaria in Kaduna State, were on their way to a wedding in Kwa village, Qua’anpan LGA, when a wrong turn led them into a deadly ambush at the Mangun market square.
According to police findings, the victims were travelling in a 32-seater bus and mistakenly entered the volatile area, where they were accused of being threats by local vigilantes and attacked with machetes, sticks, and stones before the arrival of security forces. Thirteen passengers died on the spot, while several others sustained life-threatening injuries.
Addressing the media on Thursday, July 10, Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, confirmed that a thorough investigation had concluded, and 22 individuals had been arrested, profiled, and charged in connection with the massacre. He assured the public that the command was committed to ensuring justice for the victims and their grieving families.
At the arraignment before Justice Boniface Ngyon at High Court 10, the suspects faced a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, culpable homicide, unlawful assembly, and incitement to violence. Prosecuting counsel S.I. Ikutanwa urged the court to proceed with plea-taking. However, defence lawyer Garba Pwol raised objections, revealing that two of the defendants were minors aged 13 and 17, thereby challenging the validity of the charge sheet for those individuals.
The prosecution responded by proposing to amend the charges and proceed with the remaining 20 adults. Justice Ngyon, while noting the sensitivity and gravity of the case, ruled that it would be safer and procedurally appropriate to defer plea-taking until the amended charges are filed. He then ordered all 22 suspects to be held in police custody.
Court proceedings have been adjourned to Friday, July 11, to allow the prosecution time to formally strike out the names of the minors and re-present the charge. Human rights observers and legal watchdogs present in court hailed the court’s decision as “a cautious step towards due process,” even as they demanded swift justice for the victims’ families.
The gruesome attack has left a deep scar across northern Nigeria, where ethnic and communal tensions remain volatile. Security analysts warn that mob justice is becoming a dangerous trend, often inflamed by misinformation and weak law enforcement. As this trial unfolds, it is set to become a major test of Nigeria’s ability to enforce justice and prevent further breakdowns in civil order.
