Mutfwang Bans Night Mining, Grazing After Deadly Plateau Attacks

Mutfwang Bans Night Mining, Grazing After Deadly Plateau Attacks

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has imposed a sweeping ban on night mining activities, night grazing, and the use of underage children for grazing, in a major security intervention aimed at curbing the rising wave of violence in the state.

The decision was announced on Monday during a sympathy visit to communities in Barkin Ladi and Bassa Local Government Areas, following recent deadly attacks that left several residents dead and forced many families to flee their homes.

Governor Mutfwang was accompanied on the visit by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro, as well as other senior government officials and security stakeholders. The delegation toured affected communities to assess the level of destruction and engage with victims of the attacks.

In Barkin Ladi, the governor met with survivors, including widows and children who lost their breadwinners. He assured them that the government would not abandon them and promised stronger protection for vulnerable communities across the state. “The life of every Plateau citizen is precious, and we will do everything within our power to protect our people. Those who take pleasure in killing and inflicting pain on others will not know peace,” he said.

The governor explained that the ban on night mining and grazing was necessary due to security intelligence linking nighttime movements in mining and grazing areas to criminal activities. Under the new directive, all mining operations must now cease by 5:00 p.m. daily, while night grazing is completely prohibited across the state.

READ ALSO:

• Court Admits Newspaper Evidence in Emefiele Naira Redesign Trial
• Lady Pharmacists Warn of Japa Syndrome, Fake Drugs, Weak Healthcare System
• JAMB to Allow Candidates Use Personal Computers for UTME from 2027

He also outlawed the use of underage children for grazing activities, describing it as both a security risk and a child protection concern. Security agencies have been directed to enforce the order strictly across all local government areas.

The measures come in response to renewed violence in parts of Barkin Ladi and Bassa, where recent attacks reportedly claimed multiple lives and displaced residents. In Ngbrazongo village in the Kwall District of Bassa LGA alone, more than 10 people were reportedly killed in one of the incidents.

Governor Mutfwang said he had been closely monitoring the situation before deciding to visit the affected areas personally to better understand the scale of the crisis and reassure residents of government support.

During meetings with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and youth representatives, the governor pledged that those responsible for the attacks would be tracked down and brought to justice. He also directed security agencies to intensify surveillance and increase deployment to vulnerable communities to prevent further incidents.

According to him, the state government is working with federal security agencies to stabilise the situation and enable displaced residents to safely return to their communities. “We are deploying more security personnel to these communities. We will not allow a repeat of these tragedies,” he said.

The Plateau State Government said the new restrictions form part of a broader strategy to tackle insecurity linked to communal violence, illegal mining activities, and unregulated movement in rural areas, which have long been flashpoints in the state.

Security analysts have noted that Plateau remains one of the most volatile regions in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, with recurring attacks often linked to land disputes, banditry, and resource-related tensions.

Mutfwang Bans Night Mining, Grazing After Deadly Plateau Attacks