The Plateau State Government has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas following heightened security concerns and reports of reprisal attacks in parts of the state.
The curfew, announced on Monday, requires residents of the three LGAs to remain indoors between 6pm and 6am until further notice.
Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya, said the measure was introduced to enable security agencies to stabilise the affected areas, protect lives and prevent further breakdown of law and order.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, the government directed residents to comply fully with the restriction and plan their commercial, agricultural and other activities around the affected hours.
“The government also directed security operatives to strictly enforce the curfew across the three local government areas.
“It further announced an immediate ban on the use of motorcycles within the affected jurisdictions as part of measures to address the security situation.
“The government reassured law-abiding residents that security personnel deployed to enforce the measures would operate professionally.”
The curfew followed a series of attacks, attempted attacks and reprisal incidents reported in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu, prompting increased deployment and patrols by security forces.
Zagazola Makama also reported that troops repelled a suspected reprisal attack by suspected Fulani militants following the killing of a resident in Barkin Ladi.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 8pm at Marit Junction, where troops responded to a report of an attack on two residents.
“Military sources said troops arrived at the scene and confirmed that one of the victims, identified as Rev. Andy Samuel, 53, had been shot dead, while the second victim sustained injuries and was evacuated to the General Hospital for medical attention,” Makama reported.
According to the publication, the troops came under attack shortly after leaving the hospital.
“The attackers were suspected to be Fulani militias carrying out a reprisal attack following earlier violence reported in Dorowa Babuje, Sherum, Maraban Kantoma and Lajam communities, all in Barkin Ladi LGA.
“Reinforcements from Sector 8, supported by other force multipliers and air support from Nigerian Air Force Super Tucano aircraft, responded to the attack.
“The troops successfully repelled the attackers and prevented the violence from spreading to other communities.”
Makama said troops were currently dominating the general area and conducting fighting patrols to maintain security and prevent further attacks.
Security forces have also continued to urge residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements as efforts intensify to prevent retaliatory violence and further escalation across the affected communities.