Plateau Killings: Mutfwang Bans Okada, Grazing, Cattle Transportation At Night

PLATEAU State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has banned the night grazing, transportation of cow and operations of commercial motorcycles, otherwise known as okada, at night, assuring that those responsible for the attacks and killings across the state, as well as their sponsors will be brought to account and never go unpunished.
In a state broadcast on Wednesday morning, April 16, Mutfwang reiterated that the attacks were “coordinated acts of terror” and aimed at displacing residents and undermining their right to exist peacefully on their ancestral lands.
Recall that over 100 persons, including women, children and the elderly, have been killed since the renewed attacks stated across the state about two weeks ago, with house razed, properties destroyed several people injured.
The governor, who regretted that the most recent attacks came as government was trying to address similar incident in Bokkos Local Council, where 52 lives were lost and hundreds of homes were reduced to ashes, said troops and other security personnel had been deployed and reinforced in vulnerable communities to restore calm and strengthen vigilance.
He announced immediate restriction on night grazing and a ban on transportation of cattle by vehicle at night, with effect from 7 p.m., as well as use of motorcycles from 7 pm to 6am across the state until further notice
Mutfwang stated: “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; use of motorcycles is restricted from 7pm to 6am across the state until further notice.
“We are also activating community-based response systems. I urge traditional leaders and youth associations to reactivate local vigilante groups and organise night patrols in coordination with the security agencies. We must protect our communities, while upholding the rule of law.
“Furthermore, I have mandated the newly inaugurated Inter-Religious Council to begin immediate engagement with all stakeholders to address the deeper issues surrounding these attacks.
“I shall also be appointing a special envoy on peace to lead grassroots consultations and intelligence coordination.
“A fact-finding committee, comprising respected independent voices, will be constituted to investigate the root cause of this resurgence in violence and offer actionable recommendations.
“Let it be known, the Plateau spirit is resilient. We are a people of peace, renowned for our hospitality and unity across religious and ethnic lines. Those who seek to tear us apart must not succeed.
“To the killers and their sponsors, know this: Your evil shall not go unpunished. You may run, but you will not hide. Plateau will rise. Plateau will prevail.”
Mutfwang said he had directed hospitals to provide free medical care to victims and relief materials, food supplies, adding that temporary shelters were being set up for those displaced.
He urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, cooperate with security agents and share credible information, stressing the importance of adhering to the rule of law and avoiding taking the law into their own hands, even as he charged community and traditional rulers, as well as youths to rally together against criminality and expose sponsors.
He added: “But let me reassure you that my government is alive to its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property, and we are rising to the occasion more determined than ever.”