By Jide Akinseye
Governor Caleb Manasseh Muftwang of Plateau State has imposed a sweeping ban on night grazing and all night-time mining activities across the state, directing that mining operations must henceforth cease daily by 5:00 p.m., as part of renewed efforts to curb escalating insecurity.
The governor announced the measures during a sympathy visit to the Nding community in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, where recent attacks by armed assailants claimed several lives and left the community in mourning.
Addressing residents, Muftwang also outlawed grazing by underage herders, stressing the need for livestock owners and parents to take full responsibility for proper cattle management. He said the government would no longer tolerate practices that heighten tension or contribute to recurring violent clashes across rural communities.
Reassuring citizens of his administration’s resolve, the governor declared that Plateau State would not yield to violence or criminal intimidation. He ordered security agencies to intensify investigations into the recent killings and ensure that perpetrators are identified, arrested, and prosecuted without delay. He further warned that any security personnel found to be complicit would face investigation and disciplinary action.
Muftwang urged the media to exercise caution in their reportage, warning against narratives capable of discouraging investment and tourism. He reiterated that Plateau remains the “Home of Peace and Tourism,” and insisted that the state must not be defined by isolated incidents of violence.
In addition, the governor assured farmers of enhanced protection ahead of the forthcoming planting season, along with government-backed subsidies for fertilizer distribution to boost agricultural productivity and food security.
The visit also featured a strategic security stakeholders’ meeting held at Gwol Motel in Barkin Ladi, bringing together religious leaders, traditional rulers, youth groups, and community representatives across ethnic and faith lines. At the meeting, the governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring that those behind the attacks in Barkin Ladi and other parts of the state are brought to justice.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Odo, expressed the Federal Government’s solidarity with affected communities, pledging continued humanitarian support and recovery interventions.
Meanwhile, youth leaders under the Plateau Youth Council (PYC), alongside representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), and traditional institutions led by the Gwom Rwei of Barkin Ladi, commended the governor’s swift response and sustained engagement with stakeholders. They also endorsed plans for a broader security summit aimed at strengthening peacebuilding efforts across the state.
