Plateau imposes curfew on three LGAs after fresh attacks

The Plateau State Government has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu local government areas following a series of deadly attacks reported across the areas.

The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, announced the restriction in a statement on Monday, saying movement in the three LGAs would be restricted from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. with immediate effect until further notice.

Mrs Ramnap said the measure was aimed at maintaining public order and enabling security agencies to stabilise the affected areas, protect lives and prevent further breakdown of law and order.

She said security operatives had been directed to strictly enforce the curfew and to impose an immediate ban on the use of motorcycles throughout the affected areas.

The commissioner urged residents to comply with the directive and plan their commercial, agricultural and personal activities around the restricted hours.

She also assured residents that security personnel would operate professionally while enforcing the measures.

Nine killed in latest attacks

The curfew followed fresh attacks in parts of Plateau that reportedly left at least nine people dead between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Five people were killed at Gana-Ropp in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area on Saturday night, while two others, including a pastor, were reportedly killed at Dorowa Babuje on their way to church on Sunday.

Separate killings were also reported at Baten Wereng in Riyom Local Government Area and Ratyidi in Fan District.

Community leaders confirmed the incidents and called for increased security presence and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

The latest attacks came after several deadly incidents were reported across Plateau between 13 and 19 September.

On 19 September, five people were reportedly killed at Gana-Ropp, while attacks were also reported in Ndar in Bokkos and parts of Mangu.

Earlier, nine people were reportedly killed when gunmen attacked a commercial vehicle at Dungus in Kuru District, Jos South Local Government Area.

Three people were also killed and seven others injured, including a seven-month-old child, in a shooting at a farmers’ market in Mangu.

Security concerns persist

The latest incidents add to a series of attacks recorded in Plateau in recent months.

On 18 August, more than 20 people were reportedly killed in an attack on the Bin Mper community in Mangu Local Government Area.

The government said the latest curfew would remain in force until further notice.