1 year after Plateau wedding attack, victims’ families yet to get compensation

Nearly one year after 12 people from Basawa community in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State were killed while travelling to a wedding in Plateau State, families of the victims said they are yet to receive the compensation and other support promised by Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani. Daily Trust recalls that the victims […]

Nearly one year after 12 people from Basawa community in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State were killed while travelling to a wedding in Plateau State, families of the victims said they are yet to receive the compensation and other support promised by Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani.
Daily Trust recalls that the victims were among a group of travellers to Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State for a wedding ceremony when they were attacked by a mob in Mangu Local Government Area.
The incident drew widespread condemnation across the country, with many calling for justice and improved security for travellers.
Following the incident, Governor Uba Sani visited the affected families to commiserate with them and announced a number of relief measures, including compensation, housing support and other interventions aimed at easing their hardship.
A member of one of the bereaved families, Mustapha Sani, who lost his father and two younger brothers in the June 2025 attack, said the delay has left many of the affected families, especially widows and orphans, facing severe hardship.
Speaking with Daily Trust, Mustapha said although the state government made about five promises after the incident, only two have been fulfilled.
“It has been almost one year since the incident happened. We were promised compensation for those who lost their lives, as well as houses for the victims’ families.
He added that injured victims were given motorcycles to support their livelihoods, describing it as the second promise fulfilled by the government.
However, he lamented that the promised compensation for the families of those who lost their lives has yet to be paid.
“As for the compensation for the lives that were lost, it is almost one year now and there has been no explanation or update. We have not heard anything. That is why we are appealing to the governor to fulfil his promise of paying the compensation,” he said.
Mustapha also disclosed that although the government announced the allocation of houses to the victims’ families, the beneficiaries have yet to receive the ownership documents.
He said the prolonged delay has worsened the condition of the bereaved families.
“The orphans are going through difficult times. My younger brother was the groom whose wedding we were travelling to attend before the attack occurred. My father and two of my younger brothers were killed.
“Up till today, nobody has contacted us about the compensation. We are only reminding the governor that the promise he made is yet to be fulfilled,” he added.
When contacted, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, said the state government is working with the Plateau State Government to ensure that the victims’ families receive full compensation.
He said Governor Uba Sani has fulfilled most of the commitments he made to the affected communities and remains committed to implementing the outstanding ones.
He said, “The Kaduna State Government is working with the Plateau State Government to ensure that the families of the victims receive full compensation for this unfortunate incident.
“We appeal to the victims and their families to remain patient while both state governments continue to engage on the matter. Although the incident occurred in Plateau State, Governor Uba Sani took it upon himself to pursue the matter with the Plateau State Government as a responsive leader.”