Following the attacks on Christmas Eve in many Plateau State communities, which resulted in the deaths of more than 150 individuals, the state government declared on Monday that a seven-day mourning period will commence on January 1.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang made the statement to the public during his statewide New Year’s broadcast.
He also commuted the sentences of three individuals, whose periods had been shortened, and of one individual, Danladi Musa, whose sentence had been reduced to life in prison.
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 to my 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.”
AAN TV had reported that gunmen stormed the Barkin Ladi, Mangu, and Bokkos districts of the state on Sunday, December 24, 2023, razing houses and shooting villagers in the villages of Ndun, Ngyong, Murfet, Makundary, Tamiso, Chiang, Tahore, Gawarba, Dares, Meyenga, Darwat, and Butura Kampani.
Mutfwang sent his condolences to the people of the Plateau for these killings, mentioning in particular the affected communities and the family members who are still alive.
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 1 to 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 8th January, 2024 will be observed as our official state day of mourning.”
