By Ken Chiwendu
Governor Caleb Mutwang of Plateau State has announced a ban on night grazing and restricted the use of motorcycles across the state following incessant attacks in communities in the state.
In a state broadcast on Wednesday, Mutfwang described the attacks as “coordinated acts of terror” aimed at displacing residents and undermining their right to exist peacefully on their ancestral lands.
The governor also prohibited the transportation of cattle by vehicles after 7pm.
He said the directives take immediate effect, with the restriction on motorcycle use in place from 7pm to 6am across the state until further notice.
“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.”
Muftwang said communities must be actively involved in defending themselves within the confines of the law.
On April 14, gunmen in renewed attack on villages stormed Kimakpa village, Miango district, in Bassa LGA of the state and killed over 50 people.
The attack came barely two weeks after gunmen killed many residents in five communities in Bokkos and Mangu LGAs.
Although there are allegations of who the deadly attackers are, none of the attackers have been apprehended even as natives claim that the killers spoke Fulani.
