The elders, under the aegis of Coalition of Northern Elders for Peace and Development, said it had become obvious that northern Nigeria was at the mercy of terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.
The group said this in a statement on Monday by its National Coordinator, Zanna Goni and National Women Leader, Hajiya Mario Bichi.
They condemned the attack on the schoolchildren, saying the development that came few days after the decapitation of over 46 rice farmers in Zabarmari Village in Borno State, was disturbing.
The CNEPD reiterated its earlier call on the President to seek foreign help, saying any further delay might lead to extinction of the region following increasing mass killings by the terrorists.
The statement reads, “The latest attack on Government Science Secondary School, Kankara in Katsina State, where over 333 children are reportedly missing has further confirmed our position that our region is now at the mercy of terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.
“As a result of this, we strongly believe that time has come for our President to bring in fresh hope and clear directions on how best the country will strategise to overcome the present insecurity situation in the country in general.”
