From PETER TITLE, Barkin Ladi/Bassa
Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, today visited two communities affected by recent attacks in Barkin Ladi and Bassa local government areas, where he commiserated with victims, assessed the security situation and announced fresh measures including a ban on night mining and night grazing across affected areas.
Following recurring killings in parts of Barkin Ladi and surrounding communities, the governor visited Nding Sesut village in Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area to sympathise with families of victims and hold a security stakeholders’ meeting aimed at restoring peace in the area.
The governor, accompanied by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro, also visited Ngra Zongo village in Kwall District of Bassa Local Government Area, where he condoled with residents over the killing of 13 persons, including three pregnant women, in last Friday’s attack.
At Nding Sesut, Governor Mutfwang met widows, families and survivors of the attacks, assuring them of government support and reaffirming his commitment to protecting lives and property across Plateau State.
He was later joined at a town hall security meeting held at Gwol Motel, Barkin Ladi, where stakeholders from across the area gathered to deliberate on the worsening insecurity.
The Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Council, Stephen Pwajok, who welcomed the governor, described the visit as timely and appreciated his decision to personally sympathise with affected families.
He lamented that Barkin Ladi, one of the oldest local government areas in the state, had come under persistent attacks, with farmlands destroyed and livelihoods disrupted.
Pwajok also raised concerns over the continued occupation of Government Secondary School, Ropp, which he said had been closed for over 10 years due to insurgency and allegedly being used as a base for attacks.
He further noted that Fan and Ropp districts remained the most affected areas, adding that attackers often escaped before security operatives arrived.
At the town hall meeting, Governor Mutfwang described the situation as deeply worrisome and stressed the need for dialogue and community cooperation as a pathway to peace.
He, however, warned that his administration would not tolerate criminality or lawlessness.
The governor announced a ban on night mining and night grazing across affected areas, stressing that all mining activities must end by 5pm daily.
He also prohibited night grazing and grazing by underage children, warning that anyone found violating the directive would face the full weight of the law.
“Cattle owners from 6pm should be retiring their cows. Similarly, there will be no night mining which starts from 5pm. Anybody found violating the order will be made to face the law,” he declared.
Governor Mutfwang also cautioned politicians against making statements capable of deepening divisions in the state, stressing that justice would be pursued without compromise.
He assured residents that the state government, in collaboration with the Federal Government and local councils, was working to provide immediate relief to affected communities and strengthen security operations.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Barkin Ladi chapter, represented by Rev. Dido Andrew, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Adam Mohammed, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Tambari Gizo, and Plateau Youth Council (PYC), represented by Zang Apollos, all commended the governor’s visit and security engagement.
They expressed hope that the intervention would yield lasting results, while stressing that development could not thrive without peace.
The stakeholders called on residents to embrace unity regardless of religious or ethnic differences.
At Ngra Zongo village in Bassa Local Government Area, Mutfwang sympathised with residents over the killing of 13 persons in last Friday’s attack.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro, who hails from the community, addressed residents in their local dialect and expressed deep sorrow over the incident.
Chairman of Bassa Local Government Council, Dr. Joshua Riti, thanked the governor for what he described as a fatherly visit and concern for the victims, noting that 10 injured persons were currently receiving treatment in hospitals.
Governor Mutfwang assured that security agencies were working to ensure that perpetrators of the attacks were brought to justice.
He commended youth for their resilience in defending their communities and pledged continued government support in restoring peace.
The District Head of Kwall, Bitrus Dodo, revealed that the area had suffered attacks for over 25 years and appealed for stronger security deployment to protect lives and property.