Insecurity: Governor Mutfwang Bans Night Grazing in Plateau State
In a decisive move to curb the growing insecurity in Plateau State, Governor Caleb Mutfwang has announced a statewide ban on night grazing, as well as new restrictions on cattle movement and motorcycle operations.
The measures, which take immediate effect, are aimed at restoring peace and stability to communities plagued by deadly attacks in recent months.
Governor Mutfwang made the announcement during a state broadcast on Wednesday following the latest violent assault on Kimakpa village in Bassa Local Government Area, where over 50 lives were reportedly lost. The governor condemned the attack and described it as part of a “systematic and premeditated campaign” to displace communities and incite chaos across the state.
In his address, Mutfwang outlined the following emergency security directives:
Ban on night grazing throughout Plateau State.
Prohibition of cattle transportation by vehicle after 7:00 p.m.
Restriction on the use of motorcycles between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. statewide.
“These are not mere clashes between farmers and herders,” the governor stated. “They are coordinated acts of terror that must be stopped.”
To enhance community security, the governor urged traditional rulers and community leaders to support the reactivation of local vigilante groups and coordinate night patrols in collaboration with security agencies. He also announced the formation of a high-powered, independent fact-finding committee to investigate the causes of the violence and propose long-term solutions.
Governor Mutfwang expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and called on federal authorities to bolster security operations in the state. He further directed the Plateau State Primary Healthcare Board and the Plateau State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (PLASCHEMA) to provide free treatment for all victims of the recent attacks.
Relief materials and temporary shelters are currently being distributed to displaced persons as part of ongoing humanitarian efforts.
In a stern warning to perpetrators of violence, Mutfwang declared, “To the killers and their sponsors, know this: your evil shall not go unpunished. You may run, but you will not hide. Plateau will rise. Plateau will prevail.”
The governor’s latest actions underscore the urgency of addressing the complex and deadly security challenges that have gripped Plateau State in recent years.
