Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has promised to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the recent deadly attacks in Bassa and other regions of the state, which have left many dead and displaced.
In a state address on Wednesday, Mutfwang condemned the attacks as “coordinated acts of terror” designed to force residents off their ancestral lands and disrupt their peaceful existence.
The violence in Kwall District, Bassa Local Government Area, led to the deaths of at least 51 individuals, including women, children, and the elderly, with numerous homes and properties destroyed.
The governor noted that these attacks occurred while the state was still grappling with the aftermath of similar violence in Bokkos Local Government Area, where 52 lives were claimed and hundreds of homes were torched.
To restore stability, Mutfwang announced several measures, including the deployment of additional security forces to high-risk communities.
As part of the efforts, he revealed that night grazing and cattle transportation by vehicle would be prohibited after 7 p.m., with immediate effect from Wednesday. Additionally, the use of motorcycles will be restricted from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. across the state until further notice.
“We are putting these measures in place to protect our communities and ensure that peace is restored,” Mutfwang declared. “Starting from Wednesday, April 16, the following steps will be enforced: Night grazing of cattle is banned; transportation of cattle by vehicle will not be allowed after 7:00 PM, and motorcycles will be restricted from 7:00 PM to 6:00 AM.”
Mutfwang called on traditional leaders and youth groups to take action by reviving local vigilante groups and organizing night patrols in collaboration with security agencies.
He stressed that safeguarding the communities while respecting the law is essential.
The governor also introduced the appointment of a Special Envoy for Peace, who will oversee grassroots engagement and intelligence gathering efforts. Additionally, an independent Fact-Finding Committee will be formed to investigate the causes behind the recent upsurge in violence and provide actionable recommendations for resolution.
Reaffirming Plateau’s resilience, Mutfwang said, “We are a peaceful and united people, and those attempting to disrupt our harmony will fail. To those behind these attacks and their sponsors, rest assured that justice will be served. You cannot hide. Plateau will rise, and Plateau will triumph.”
In his address, Mutfwang assured that hospitals in the state would provide free medical care to victims of the violence and that relief supplies, including food and temporary shelters, would be provided for the displaced.