Headline: Amnesty International Urges Federal Government to Investigate Brutal Mob Killing of 12 Travellers in Mangu, Plateau State

Mangu, Plateau State — Global human rights watchdog Amnesty International has called on the Nigerian Federal Government to immediately launch a thorough, transparent, and independent investigation into the gruesome mob killing of at least 12 travellers in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State. The incident, which occurred earlier this week, has sent shockwaves throughout the country, once again highlighting the deep-seated ethno-religious tensions and the persistent state of insecurity in Nigeria’s North-Central region.

According to eyewitnesses and preliminary reports, the victims—suspected to be commuters en route to Bauchi State—were brutally attacked by an irate mob at a checkpoint in the Mangu axis. The circumstances surrounding the attack remain murky, but local sources allege that the travellers were targeted based on their perceived ethnic or religious affiliation. Their vehicles were reportedly intercepted, and they were pulled out, lynched, and some burned alive, in what appeared to be an act of reprisal or retaliatory violence.

Amnesty International, in a strongly worded statement released on Thursday, condemned the killings as a “horrific act of mob violence and extrajudicial execution,” and emphasized that no society can claim to uphold the rule of law when innocent civilians are slaughtered without due process.

“The killing of at least 12 people in Mangu LGA is not only unlawful but a grave violation of the right to life. The Nigerian authorities must urgently investigate these killings and bring all those responsible to justice. Anything less will send a dangerous message of impunity,” said Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.

The rights organization further lamented the Nigerian government’s persistent failure to stem the tide of communal and sectarian violence across the country, warning that a lack of accountability continues to embolden perpetrators. Amnesty also called for better protection of civilians, particularly in regions plagued by frequent clashes between herders and farmers, and urged the government to deploy peacebuilding strategies rather than relying solely on militarized responses.

Plateau State, often dubbed the “home of peace and tourism,” has over the years become a flashpoint for deadly communal violence. The Mangu LGA has witnessed escalating tensions in recent months, with sporadic attacks and reprisals becoming alarmingly frequent. Local security officials have yet to issue a definitive statement regarding the motive or the identities of the attackers, but the Plateau State Police Command confirmed that investigations are underway.

In response to the incident, civil society groups, religious leaders, and community-based organizations have echoed Amnesty’s call, urging the government to take immediate and decisive action to prevent a spiral into wider conflict. Reverend Joseph Bako, a leader of the Plateau Interfaith Peace Forum, stated:

“We cannot allow this cycle of vengeance to continue. The government must act now—not just to punish those responsible—but to heal communities and foster genuine reconciliation.”

On social media, Nigerians have expressed outrage, mourning the deaths and demanding justice. The hashtags #JusticeForManguVictims and #StopTheKillings have been trending nationwide, with users calling for more robust governmental intervention in Plateau State and other crisis-prone areas.

Human rights advocates argue that beyond investigations, there is an urgent need for the Nigerian state to revisit its security architecture, strengthen early warning systems, and address the root causes of violence—poverty, land disputes, and political manipulation of ethnic and religious identities.

As the nation awaits concrete action from the authorities, the haunting images and stories from Mangu serve as a grim reminder of the fragility of peace in parts of Nigeria. For the families of the slain travellers, justice remains a distant but necessary hope.