THE Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has declared a one-week of mourning over the recent attacks in the North-Central State.
About 200 persons were killed and scores wounded in separate attacks in the state in the last two weeks.
While declaring the one-week mourning period, Governor Mutfwang told residents of the state that flags will be flying at half-mast during the time.
“As a mark of honour for the memory of the deceased, I wish to declare a week of mourning from January 1st to January 8th, 2024. During this period of mourning, flags will fly at half-mast,” he said in a New Year broadcast.
“I urge all citizens to use these days for intense prayers to seek the intervention of the Almighty God in defending our territories against wicked men that have risen against us.”
The governor also called on religious leaders to offer special prayers for peace in the troubled state.
“I wish to plead with our Muslim clerics to dedicate Friday, January 5th, 2024 and our Christian Clergy to use Sunday, January 7th, 2024 as special prayer days for lasting peace to return to the Plateau,” the governor added.
“Monday 8th January 2024 will be observed as our official state day of mourning.”
The latest attacks in the North-Central State have triggered an outpour of condemnations and calls for a probe into the assaults.
President Bola Tinubu has called for an investigation into the incidents while Vice President Kashim Shettima also visited the affected communities.
North-West and central Nigeria have been long terrorised by bandit militias operating from bases deep in forests and raiding villages to loot and kidnap residents for ransom.
Competition for natural resources between nomadic herders and farmers, intensified by rapid population growth and climate pressures, has also exacerbated social tensions and sparked violence.
