Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has imposed a ban on night grazing and restricted the movement of motorcycles statewide in response to a recent wave of violent attacks.
This comes after at least 50 people were killed on April 14 when gunmen stormed Kimakpa village in the Miango district of Bassa LGA. The massacre followed a string of deadly assaults in five communities across Bokkos and Mangu LGAs just weeks earlier, where homes were razed, properties destroyed, and many injured.
In a statewide broadcast on Wednesday, Governor Mutfwang also announced a ban on transporting cattle in vehicles after 7pm.
The governor said the new security measures take immediate effect, with motorcycle operations restricted between 7pm and 6am daily until further notice.
He described the killings as “coordinated acts of terror” intended to displace residents and deny them their right to live peacefully on ancestral lands.
“The tragic echoes of Dogo Na Hawa, Riyom, Barkin-Ladi, Mangu, and the Christmas Eve massacres in Bokkos remain vivid. The cycle continues, but it must not endure. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH,” the governor said.
“As your governor, I stand resolved — Plateau shall not be overrun by fear, nor shall we accept this culture of bloodshed as the new normal.
“My administration is intensifying efforts to protect our people and enforce the rule of law across all local governments.
“I hereby announce the following measures, effective Wednesday, April 16: Night grazing of cattle is strictly prohibited; transportation of cattle by vehicle is banned after 7pm.
“The use of motorcycles is restricted from 7pm to 6am across the state until further notice.”
The Plateau governor said communities must be actively involved in defending themselves within the confines of the law.
“We are also activating community-based response systems,” he said.
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“I urge traditional leaders and youth associations to reactivate local vigilante groups and organise night patrols in coordination with the security agencies.
“We must protect our communities while upholding the rule of law.”
Mutfwang directed the inter-religious council to engage stakeholders and said a peace envoy will be appointed for grassroots consultations and intelligence coordination.
The governor said a fact-finding committee made up of respected, independent voices will be set up to probe the root cause of the violence and make actionable recommendations.
“Let it be known: the Plateau spirit is resilient. We are a people of peace, renowned for our hospitality and unity across religious and ethnic lines. Those who seek to tear us apart must not succeed,” he said.
