An irate mob, on Friday, clubbed 12 wedding-bound travellers to death in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The victims were from Basawa community in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
It is unclear the reason for the gruesome act but survivors said the hoodlums surrounded them and began the mass action.
They were 31 individuals, including men, women, and children, and were traveling in an 18-seater bus reportedly owned by Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
The group was en route to Qua’an Pan LGA to attend a wedding ceremony when they were attacked.
Eleven of the travelers sustained various injuries and are currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Mangu.
The victims were said to have mistakenly taken a wrong route and stopped to ask for directions when they were surrounded and attacked.
A survivor, Ibrahim Umar, said the group was unfamiliar with the area and had stopped to seek guidance when a mob gathered and launched the assault.
“They started beating and attacking us with dangerous weapons,” Umar recounted.
“They killed the driver first, then attacked others, and burned the bus with bodies inside," he added.
The Chief Imam of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a Wa’ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Suleiman Haruna, confirmed that eight of the bodies had been recovered and deposited at Mangu General Hospital, while efforts were ongoing to locate the remaining corpses.
Meanwhile, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has visited the scene of the attack.
He also visited the survivors in the hospital, expressing profound grief and describing 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.
Mutfwang said: “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.”