The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has strongly condemned the recent killing of eight Muslim travellers in Plateau State, described the attack as barbaric and the state government’s reaction as insensitive.
On Friday, June 20, 2025, a bus conveying 28 Muslim passengers, mostly of Hausa ethnicity and travelling from Zaria to Qua’an-Pan in Plateau State, was reportedly ambushed by suspected youths in Mangun village, Mangu Local Government Area. According to reports, eight passengers were killed, six sustained various degrees of injuries one critically while four others remained missing.
In a statement issued on Monday, June 23, 2025, and signed by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Islamic human rights group described the attack as “most horrendous, totally egregious and categorically preposterous.” The group criticised Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, over his reaction to the incident, accused him of trivialising the murder of the Muslim passengers.
“The Governor of Plateau State did not help matters as he attempted to obfuscate the gravity of the offence,” MURIC stated, referencing the governor’s remark that the victims had “lost their way and inadvertently ran into a tense and volatile situation.”
“Since when did losing one’s way become an excuse for being killed?” the group queried, accusing the governor of rationalising what it described as a “barbaric” act.
MURIC lamented that the axis had become increasingly unsafe for Muslim travellers, alleged a pattern of unpunished attacks. “Christians in Plateau State have become slaves of their own perception. To them, every Muslim is a legitimate killing target,” the statement read.
The group further called on the Federal Government, security agencies, and the international community to investigate the persistent attacks and ensure justice is served.
They also demanded answers from the Divisional Police Officer in Mangun, the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), questioning whether any suspects have been apprehended.
While sympathising with the families of the victims, MURIC extended condolences to the government and people of Kaduna State, as well as the Emir of Zaria.
“We pray that the dead among the victims be granted al-jannah Firdaus,” the statement concluded.
