ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) – Police were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of a mob assault that killed at least 12 people in central Nigeria two days ago.
A passenger bus was rounded up in the Mangou area of Plateau state, according to a police statement released Saturday. Passengers travel from Zaria, northwest of Kaduna State, about 400 km (about 249 miles) from Mangu, and on Friday night after the attack, they were going to the wedding.
Police said 21 people were rescued from “angry mobs” and some passengers were killed without providing further details. Police in Nigeria are federal authorities and usually provide lower deaths than local authorities and witnesses.
Meanwhile, the rights group International Rights Organization said 12 people were killed immediately during the attack and 11 others were injured.
“Authorities must ensure that the actual people behind the terrorist attacks are brought to justice,” the rights group said in a statement Saturday.
Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang said law enforcement should ensure justice and take measures to prevent any recurrence.
The central and northern Nigeria is plagued by increasing violence, driven by conflicts between armed gangs and attacks on community attacks.
At least 100 people were killed in a fatal shooting in a village near Benue state about two weeks ago.
