Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has announced a series of emergency security measures, including a ban on night grazing and restrictions on motorcycle use across the state, following fresh waves of deadly attacks that have left scores dead.
In a state-wide broadcast on Wednesday, Mutfwang described the attacks as “coordinated acts of terror” targeting vulnerable communities and threatening the peace and existence of residents on their ancestral lands.
“The tragic echoes of Dogo Na Hawa, Riyom, Barkin-Ladi, Mangu, and the Christmas Eve massacres in Bokkos remain vivid,” the governor said. “The cycle continues, but it must not endure. Enough is enough.”
Effective immediately, the governor announced the following directives: night grazing of cattle is prohibited, the use of motorcycles is restricted between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., and the transportation of cattle by vehicle is banned after 7:00 p.m.
The latest violence struck on April 14 in Kimakpa village, Miango district of Bassa Local Government Area (LGA), where at least 50 people were reportedly killed by gunmen. The attack came just two weeks after coordinated killings in Bokkos and Mangu LGAs, where dozens of residents were also killed.
In his address, Mutfwang called on communities to take an active role in defending themselves within the bounds of the law and urged local vigilante groups to organize night patrols in collaboration with security agencies.
Speaking to AFP, survivors recounted the horror of Sunday night’s attack in Kimakpa, located about 25 kilometres from Jos. Peter John, 25, said he narrowly escaped after the attackers stormed his family’s home around 10:00 p.m., killing his sister, her daughter, his older brother, and a nine-month-old niece.
“They shot and killed my younger sister and her daughter right in front of me,” he said while receiving treatment at a nearby hospital. “There was no specific target. They were just shooting.”
Witnesses alleged that the attackers spoke the Fulani language. The longstanding conflict between predominantly Christian farmers and Muslim Fulani herders over land, pasture, and resource access continues to fuel tensions in Plateau State.
Diwe Gado Diwe, another victim, described the assault as one of the worst tragedies of his life. He was away during the attack but lost a cousin and later watched his brother die from gunshot wounds in the hospital. “I tried calling the vigilante group, but the line didn’t go through,” he said.
Jessica John, 45, sat beside her son Saryie, who was awaiting surgery after being shot in the chest. His friend, who accompanied him to check on their family after fleeing, was killed instantly.
Governor Mutfwang reiterated his administration’s resolve to end the cycle of bloodshed. “Plateau shall not be overrun by fear, nor shall we accept this culture of bloodshed as the new normal,” he said.
Authorities have yet to announce any arrests or confirm the identities of the attackers, further fueling criticism over impunity and insecurity in rural areas.
Edit by Nzubechukwu Eze
