Following the Christmas eve attacks in some communities in Plateau State, which left over 150 persons dead, the state government on Monday declared seven days of mourning starting January 1.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang made the declaration in his New Year statewide broadcast to the people.

He also granted state pardon to one Danladi Musa who was sentenced to life imprisonment, and three others who had their various sentences converted to lesser terms.

The governor said, “It is true that we ended the year 2023 on a sad note because of the many precious lives we lost including but not limited to over 400 between April and June, 2023 as well as the over 160 in the recent Christmas genocide.

“From small eruptions of conflict sometime in 2001, no one could have imagined that our dear state would witness such unquantifiable bloodshed of innocent lives, some known and others unknown. It is quite grievous tomy heart that Plateau State has today become the cynosure of the whole nation and indeed the world for the wrong reasons.

“These unprovoked and simultaneous attacks in different villages were clearly premeditated and coordinated. These series of attacks on our people are a clear case of criminality, insurgency and terrorism and must be seen and handled in that manner if we must succeed in halting this wanton destruction of lives and property.”

The PUNCH reports that on Sunday, December 24, 2023, gunmen stormed Ndun, Ngyong, Murfet, Makundary, Tamiso, Chiang, Tahore, Gawarba, Dares, Meyenga, Darwat, and Butura Kampani villages in the Barkin Ladi, Mangu and Bokkos areas of the state, burning houses and shooting residents.

The Chairman of Community Peace Observers in the Bokkos Local Government Area, Mallai, in an interview with The PUNCH, said, “Over 150 people were killed in the attacks. In Bokkos town alone, more than 10,000 people are taking refuge in churches, mosques, schools, and private residences.”

Mutfwang commiserated with the people of Plateau on these killings, especially the affected communities and the families of the deceased.

He added “My heart goes out to you and be assured that my family, the entire government and I deeply share in your grief. We will not rest on our oars but will tirelessly collaborate with the Federal Government to bring an end to these tragedies and bring succour to affected persons and communities.

“As a mark of honour for the memory of the deceased, I wish to declare a week of mourning from January 1to January 8, 2024.

“During this period of mourning, flags will fly at half-mast. I urge all citizens to use these days for intense prayers to seek the intervention of the Almighty God in defending our territories and against wicked men that have risen against us.

“I wish to plead with our Muslim clerics to dedicate Friday, January 5, 2024 and our Christian clergy to use Sunday January 7, 2024 as special prayer days for lasting peace to return to the Plateau. Monday 8^thJanuary, 2024 will be observed as our official state day of mourning.”

The governor stressed that despite these onslaughts, the spirits of the people were not broken but instead resolved to defend their land and prosper therein.

He expressed confidence that 2024 will reveal their inner strength and resilience in the face of these tribulations. (The Nation)