Nigerian state declares 7 days of mourning for victims killed in attack

LAGOS, Nigeria

Nigeria's Plateau State declared seven days of mourning Tuesday for the more than 100 victims killed by gunmen in attacks in late December.

Plateau State Gov. Caleb Mutfwang said the period is declared to honor the victims of the Dec. 24 attacks.

"As a mark of honor for the memory of the deceased, I wish to declare a week of mourning from Jan. 1 to Jan. 8, 2024," he said in a broadcast.

Mutfwang ordered national flags at all public buildings and institutions to fly at half-mast.

He urges residents to use the week for prayers, divine intervention, and defense of their territories.

Mutfwang requested that Muslims and Christians offer special prayers in mosques on Friday and churches on Sunday for the repose of the souls of those killed.

A gang of gunmen, believed to be bandits, launched attacks on communities in the two local governments of Barkin-Ladi and Bokkos on Dec. 24.

The government put the casualties at 115 two days after the attack.