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By Myke Agunwa
Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang has banned herders from night grazing and transportation of cows with vehicles and motor bikes after 7pm across the state.
Recall that since April 2, 2025, gunmen had attacked Hurti, Josho, Daffo, and other communities in the Manguna district of Bokkos Local government leaving about 51 dead and about 2,000 persons homeless.
Similarly, they attacked the Zike and Kimakpa communities of Kwall District, Iregwe Chiefdom of Bassa on Sunday where about 50 persons were also murdered and several houses burnt down.
Following these prevailing security challenge in the state with death toll rising to about 100 within two weeks, Mutfwang issued the ban in a statewide broadcast on Wednesday in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
The governor also restricted the movement of cattle on vehicles in all parts of the state after 7:00 p.m.
He explained that the move is aimed to curb the worsening security challenges across the state.
“To restore calm and strengthen vigilance, I hereby announce that effective Wednesday, April 16, night grazing of cattle is strictly prohibited.
“Also, transportation of cattle by vehicle is banned after 7:00 p.m. The use of motorcycles is restricted from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. across the state until further notice,” he said.
The governor, who assured residents of the state of his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property, promised to support the security agencies in the state.
Mutfwang, who also insisted that the killings were not an isolated conflict between farmers and herders, thanked President Bola Tinubu for his commitment towards achieving lasting peace in Plateau.
He promised to constitute a fact-finding committee comprising respected independent voices to investigate the root causes of the violence and offer actionable recommendations.