By ibrahima yakubu
Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, on Friday visited the Zazzau Emirate and families of the 12 wedding-bound travellers killed in Plateau State to offer his condolences.
Recall that at least 12 travellers — including the father and brother of the groom from Bassawa community in Zaria — were killed during an attack in Mangu, Plateau State, on Friday, June 20, 2025. Eleven others who sustained injuries are currently receiving treatment in a hospital in Kaduna.
Dalung, accompanied by the General Overseer of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry, Pastor (Dr.) Yohanna Buru, expressed deep sorrow over the attack. He described the incident as both devastating and shameful, especially given that the perpetrators and victims are from the same northern region.
He extended his condolences to the Bassawa community and the Zazzau Emirate, and called for calm while urging authorities to prosecute those arrested in connection with the killings. He also emphasized the need to intensify efforts to apprehend others involved in the attack.
Pastor Buru also condemned the killings, describing them as “unprovoked and senseless,” stressing that the victims were innocent individuals travelling to attend a wedding.
“We came to condole with the Bassawa community and its leaders. We also visited Professor Ango Abdullahi to deliver our condolence message, and finally, met with the Emir of Zazzau, His Highness Amb. Nuhu Bamalli, to extend our sympathy to the entire Emirate and people of Kaduna. We are praying for peace — not only in the state but across the country,” he said.
Pastor George T. John, of the Peace Revival and Reconciliation Foundation, who was also part of the delegation, remarked that the community was still grieving deeply.
He condemned the attacks in strong terms, labeling the act a heinous crime against the people of Zaria.
Yakubu Yusuf, a relative of some of the victims from Angwan Dantsoho community in Kudan Local Government Area, shared his personal loss — an uncle, a brother and a friend — in the attack.
“The wedding guests had only stopped to ask for directions when they were attacked. About 12 were killed, and the survivors are currently hospitalized,” Yusuf said.
He added that the Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Uba Sani, had visited the injured and paid a condolence visit to the community. “The governor urged us to remain patient, and we assured him that we would do so.”
Yusuf also appealed to both state and federal governments to support the orphans left behind by the victims.
When asked if he foresaw religious conflict arising from the incident, Yusuf quickly clarified: “There is no conflict between Christians and Muslims. We know the attackers, and even if they claim to be Christians, no true Christian would commit such an atrocity. We don’t blame the Christian community for these evil acts.”
Imam Ilyasu Husain, the Morchid of Jama’atul Nasrul Islam in Kaduna, was also part of the condolence delegation. He explained that the visit included both Muslim and Christian religious leaders — a symbol of unity and shared grief.
The group also visited the residence of Professor Ango Abdullahi, former Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, before proceeding to Bassawa community and later to the Emir’s Palace in Zaria, where they conveyed their condolences to the Emir and the people of Kaduna State.
“We thank former Minister Dalung and Pastor Dr. Buru for taking this initiative,” Imam Husain said. “We pray for the souls of the deceased and ask Almighty God to grant them eternal rest.”
He called on the Kaduna State Government to implement concrete measures to prevent similar attacks in the future and urged both state and federal authorities to ensure justice for the victims.
“It is heartbreaking that such violence still occurs in our region,” he noted. “We appeal to the government to develop lasting solutions and ensure safe passage for all travelers.”
He emphasized the importance of religious harmony, commending peacebuilders like Pastor Buru, Solomon Dalung, and former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, for their efforts in promoting national unity.
He urged the citizens to remain law-abiding and to continue advocating for peace as the government responds to this tragedy.
Meanwhile, the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, received the delegation at his palace and expressed appreciation for their solidarity and condolences.
During their meeting, the Emir and the delegation discussed ways to promote peaceful coexistence, religious tolerance, and mutual understanding among citizens of both Kaduna and Plateau states.
The Emir also noted with concern that, as of the time of the visit, no official delegation from the Plateau State Government had come to Zaria to condole with the victims’ families or assess the situation.
He urged the Plateau State Government to act swiftly and ensure that justice is served.
The Emir emphasized the critical need for unity across Northern Nigeria, calling on leaders and communities to collaborate toward sustainable peace in the region.
