By Nathaniel Zaccheaus Abuja
The Northern Senators Forum (NSF) has condemned the killing of citizens travelling in an 18-seater bus on Friday, June 20, 2025, in Mangu, Plateau State.
The victims, who were en route from Basawa community in Zaria, Kaduna State, to Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State, were ambushed and murdered in Mangu Local Government Area.
The Chairman of the NSF, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, in a statement in Abuja yesterday, urged security agencies to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.
Yar’Adua said, “On behalf of the Forum, I extend our deepest condolences to the government and people of Kaduna State, and most especially to the bereaved families affected by this heinous and cowardly attack.
“The NSF considers this tragedy not only a direct assault on innocent lives but also a grave affront to the values of peace, unity, and coexistence that bind our nation.
“This barbaric act has no place in any civilised society. It undermines the constitutional right of every Nigerian to move freely and reside in any part of the country, as guaranteed under Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“These killings are a direct threat to national cohesion and must not be allowed to continue unchecked.
“We call on the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to bolster intelligence gathering and take urgent steps to ensure that those responsible for this massacre are apprehended and face the full weight of the law. Justice must be swift and unequivocal.
“Furthermore, we urge the Federal Government to prioritise the provision of modern surveillance and communication equipment to security agencies to detect and deter future threats proactively. Our security infrastructure must evolve to meet the gravity of our national challenges.
“We also appeal to the Plateau State Government to intensify efforts at promoting harmony among its diverse communities and fostering a climate of peace and understanding, especially between different ethnic and religious groups.
“To our communities, we make a heartfelt appeal: remain calm, law-abiding, and avoid any form of reprisal that could further inflame the situation. Revenge is not justice, and violence only deepens the wounds of our nation.
“The Northern Senators Forum stands united in grief with the families of the victims, the government and people of Kaduna State, and indeed all Nigerians in mourning this senseless loss.
“We are committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure justice is done and to prevent future occurrences of such attacks,” he added.
