The Nigerian Senate has mandated its Committees on National Security and Intelligence, Police Affairs, and Defence to launch a comprehensive investigation into the killing of 12 wedding-bound travelers from Zaria, Kaduna State, in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
This resolution followed a motion presented on Wednesday by Senator Khalid Ibrahim Mustapha, who represents Kaduna North.
He described the incident as part of a recurring pattern of violent attacks against innocent civilians, which continues unchecked.
Senator Khalid recounted that the victims, traveling in an Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) official vehicle, lost their way en route to Quan’Pan and stopped in Mangu community to ask for directions, tragically, they were attacked and killed by youths, who also set their vehicle ablaze.
He expressed dismay that a clearly marked university vehicle, carrying men, women, and children, could be mistaken for a threat, calling the incident both senseless and heartbreaking.
The Senate condemned the attack in the strongest terms, extended condolences to the victims’ families and the Kaduna State Government, and emphasized the need for justice and security reforms.
It also urged the Inspector General of Police to arrest and prosecute all those found culpable, and recommended that the Plateau State and Federal Governments compensate the victims’ families.
The Senate further called for the deployment of more security personnel, especially specialized units, to vulnerable communities in Plateau and other regions affected by communal unrest.
Similarly, the motion highlighted the urgent need for improved intelligence gathering, early warning systems, and rapid response mechanisms to prevent such tragedies in the future.
COV/Bashir M
