The Plateau State Police Command has banned all night grazing and mining activities across the state, warning that violators would face the full wrath of the law. The directive follows recent attacks and killings in Anguwan Rukuba and in parts of Jos South, Riyom, and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas, where several persons lost their lives in renewed violence.
On Wednesday, persons including farmers and herders were killed in Ban, Gero, and Du’a communities of Barkin Ladi and Jos North LGAs. On Friday night, three persons were also killed while one other was injured in Nyamgo Gyel, a community in Jos South. The latest incidents have heightened tensions in an area still recovering from the Palm Sunday attack in Angwan Rukuba, where at least 28 people were killed.
Announcing the ban in a statement on Saturday, the police spokesperson, SP Alabo Alfred, confirmed the latest attack in Nyamgo Gyel community, assuring that the command has launched a manhunt for the assailants. “In response to the incident and as part of proactive measures to safeguard lives and properties, the Commissioner of Police has directed the immediate enforcement of a statewide ban on Night Grazing and Night Mining activities,” the statement read.
The police also reiterated that the total ban on the operation of commercial motorcycles within the Jos-Bukuru metropolis remains in force. “This directive is aimed solely towards enhancing public safety and preventing further breakdown of law and order, and not to impede citizens’ lawful means of livelihood,” the police said. In view of the ongoing Easter celebration, the CP has also placed a ban on the activities of commercial tricycles, also known as “Keke-Napep,” on Sunday, 5 April 2026. He urged residents to comply with these bans and avoid unnecessary movements, especially at night.
From an economic perspective, the bans on night grazing and mining activities will have significant consequences for livelihoods in Plateau State. Night grazing is a common practice among pastoralists, particularly during dry seasons when daytime temperatures are high and water sources are limited. Restricting grazing to daylight hours may lead to overcrowding at watering points, increased competition for forage, and potential conflicts between herders as they adjust to new routines. For herders who rely on nocturnal movements to access distant pastures or avoid daytime heat, the ban represents a direct constraint on their productive capacity.
The ban on night mining is equally consequential. Artisanal and small-scale mining operations, particularly for tin and other minerals, often occur at night to avoid daytime heat or to evade regulatory oversight. Many miners work at night because it is the only time available after daytime agricultural or other economic activities. Restricting mining to daylight hours may reduce overall output, affecting incomes for miners and the traders who depend on the mineral supply chain. The state government will need to balance security imperatives with the economic realities of communities that depend on these activities for survival.
The ban on commercial motorcycles and tricycles, even if temporary, disrupts transportation networks that many residents rely on for movement of goods and people. In Jos and its environs, commercial motorcycles and tricycles are essential for last-mile connectivity, particularly in areas not served by formal public transport. The Easter Sunday ban on tricycles will affect church attendance, family visits, and other holiday activities, adding to the economic and social disruption caused by the broader security situation.
The police statement linking the bans to the Easter celebration suggests that authorities anticipate heightened movement and potential security threats during the holiday period. The combination of the Palm Sunday attack and subsequent killings has created an atmosphere of fear, and the police are likely concerned about retaliatory attacks or further violence during a time when many residents will be traveling or gathering for religious services. The bans, while restrictive, are framed as temporary measures to prevent additional loss of life.
The ban on night grazing addresses a long-standing source of tension between herders and farmers. Night grazing can lead to crop damage, as herders may not be able to see or avoid cultivated fields in the dark. It can also increase the risk of theft, as animals are harder to monitor at night. By restricting grazing to daylight hours, the police may be attempting to reduce the opportunities for conflict, though the effectiveness of the ban will depend on enforcement capacity across Plateau State’s expansive rural areas.
The ban on night mining targets a different set of actors. Mining activities, particularly illegal or unregulated operations, have been linked to environmental degradation, community conflicts, and, in some cases, the financing of armed groups. By restricting mining to daylight hours, the police may be seeking to bring operations under greater scrutiny, making it easier to identify illegal activities and enforce safety and environmental regulations. However, legitimate miners who rely on night shifts to maximize production may face reduced incomes.
The coming days will test the effectiveness of these measures. The police have launched a manhunt for the assailants behind the Nyamgo Gyel killings, and the bans are intended to create conditions that make further violence more difficult. However, sustainable peace in Plateau State will require more than temporary bans; it will require addressing the underlying drivers of conflict, including competition over land and resources, weak governance in rural areas, and the proliferation of small arms. The bans are a necessary short-term response, but long-term stability will depend on deeper structural interventions.
