The Plateau State Government has imposed an immediate dusk-to-dawn curfew on Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas following a fresh escalation of violence that has left several people dead and heightened fears among residents.
The restriction, which took effect on Monday, September 21, 2026, prohibits movement between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. daily until further notice. The government has also ordered an immediate ban on the use of motorcycles across the three affected local government areas.
The directive was contained in a statement signed by Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, who said the measure was intended to enable security agencies to stabilise the affected communities, protect lives and prevent a further breakdown of law and order.
The government urged residents to reorganise their commercial, farming and personal activities around the restricted hours and cooperate with security personnel enforcing the order.
Fresh killings trigger new security measures
The curfew comes after a series of deadly attacks across Plateau in recent days.
According to reports, at least nine people were killed in separate attacks between Saturday night and Sunday morning in communities around Barkin Ladi and neighbouring Riyom. Five people travelling to Gana-Ropp in Barkin Ladi were reportedly killed when their vehicle came under attack, while two others, including a pastor, were killed while travelling to church at Dorowa Babuje. Further killings were reported at Baten Wereng in Riyom and Ratyidi in Fan District.
The latest violence followed another attack in Mangu, where gunmen reportedly opened fire on a vehicle leaving a vegetable market, killing three people and injuring several others.
The renewed violence has also affected local efforts to protect communities. Earlier in September, three vigilantes were reportedly killed while on night watch in NTV community in Barkin Ladi.
Violence has persisted for months
The latest attacks are part of a wider pattern of insecurity that has affected Plateau communities throughout 2026.
In the week preceding the latest incidents, at least 20 people were reported killed in separate attacks across the state, prompting the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to visit Plateau as authorities sought to strengthen security coordination.
Earlier in September, community leaders also reported the killing of herders and the destruction or theft of livestock in parts of Mangu and Barkin Ladi. It was reported that three herders were killed and 50 cattle shot dead in an attack in Aloghom, Mangu, while another herder and 18 cattle were reportedly killed in Nyerwe, Barkin Ladi.
There have also been attacks on travellers. On September 14, reports said nine passengers were killed when gunmen opened fire on a vehicle at Dungus in Jos South, with additional deaths recorded in Mangu and Riyom.
In May, police confirmed that five people were killed and more than 10 injured in a shooting at Gwan-Ajang in Barkin Ladi, while subsequent reports said eight victims of the attack were buried in a mass ceremony.
Security operations intensified
The Nigerian Army has also stepped up operations in response to the violence.
Reports said that troops of Operation Enduring Peace recently arrested 11 suspected kidnappers and rescued two victims during operations across Plateau. Earlier in the month, soldiers arrested three suspects following the killing of a 17-year-old in Kafi-Abu, Barkin Ladi.
The continuing attacks have nevertheless raised concerns about the ability of security agencies to protect vulnerable communities, particularly at night and along routes connecting rural settlements.
The affected areas have also experienced significant displacement. In July, the Plateau Resident Electoral Commissioner said 46,983 registered voters had been displaced by violence, with affected populations spread across eight local government areas, including Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Mangu and Riyom.
Curfew to remain until further notice
Under the new directive, residents of Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu must remain indoors from 6:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m., while security personnel have been authorised to enforce both the curfew and motorcycle ban.
The state government said security personnel would operate professionally and appealed to residents to cooperate with them.
The curfew comes as authorities face mounting pressure to contain a cycle of attacks that has affected farmers, herders, travellers, worshippers, vigilantes and other residents across Plateau.
For now, the government has given no date for lifting the restrictions, saying they will remain in force until further notice.