The Plateau State Government has imposed an immediate dusk-to-dawn curfew on Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas following a fresh wave of attacks and killings in parts of the state.
The directive, announced on Monday by the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, restricts movement across the three local government areas from 6pm to 6am daily until further notice.
The government said the measure was necessary to maintain public order, protect residents and give security agencies an opportunity to stabilise the affected areas.
In the statement, Ramnap urged residents of the affected local government areas to comply fully with the restriction and organise their commercial, agricultural and personal activities around the designated hours.
She said the decision was taken in response to emerging security threats and concerns over a possible breakdown of law and order.
The government also directed security agencies to strictly enforce the curfew across the three local government areas. In addition, it announced an immediate ban on the use of motorcycles throughout the affected jurisdictions.
The government assured law-abiding residents that security personnel deployed to enforce the measures would operate professionally and urged citizens to cooperate with them.
The curfew followed a series of deadly incidents reported in Plateau communities between Saturday night and Sunday morning.
According to community sources cited by Premium Times, at least nine people were killed in separate attacks around Barkin Ladi, Riyom and neighbouring communities. Five people travelling towards Gana-Ropp in Barkin Ladi were reportedly killed after their vehicle came under attack on Saturday night. Two others, including a pastor, were reportedly killed while travelling to church at Dorowa Babuje on Sunday. Separate killings were also reported at Baten Wereng in Riyom and Ratyidi in Fan District.
The attacks have heightened tension in the affected communities, with residents and community leaders calling for increased security presence and measures to prevent further violence.
The latest incidents are part of a wider pattern of insecurity that has affected several parts of Plateau State in recent months. Communities in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu have experienced attacks that have resulted in deaths, injuries, displacement and disruption of economic activities.
Security agencies have also intensified operations in the state. Premium Times reported that troops of Operation Enduring Peace arrested 11 suspected kidnappers and rescued two victims during security operations following the recent violence.
The new restrictions are expected to limit movement during nighttime hours, which the government considers important for restoring stability in the affected areas.
However, the curfew is likely to affect residents whose livelihoods depend on evening and early-morning activities, particularly traders, transport operators, farmers and communities where motorcycles are a major means of transportation.
The government has therefore urged residents to plan ahead and complete essential activities before the 6pm commencement of the restriction each day.
The directive has no specified end date. The curfew will remain in force until further notice, meaning its continuation will depend on developments in the security situation across the three local government areas.
Authorities have urged residents to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies and avoid actions that could further escalate tensions.
With the latest measure, the Plateau State Government is seeking to combine restrictions on nighttime movement with intensified security operations as authorities respond to the renewed violence.
For residents of Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu, movement is now restricted between 6pm and 6am, while motorcycle use remains prohibited across the affected areas until further notice.
