The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has lamented the high rate of insecurity in the north, accusing President Muhammadu Buhari of failing to tackle the situation.
In a statement on Sunday, Ango Abdullahi, convener of the forum, said the situation was getting worse by the day.
He said the constant attacks by bandits and Boko Haram insurgents shows that the Buhari administration had failed woefully in terms of security and welfare of citizens.
The statement partly read, “Northern Elders Forum (NEF) is alarmed at the rising insecurity of communities and their properties in the North. The recent escalation of attacks by bandits, rustlers and insurgents leave the only conclusion that the people of the North are now completely at the mercy of armed gangs who roam towns and villages at will, wreaking havoc.
“It would appear that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and governors have lost control over the imperatives of protecting people of the North, a constitutional duty that they swore to uphold.
“The situation is getting worse literally by the day as bandits and insurgents appear to sense a huge vacuum in political will and capacity which they exploit with disastrous consequences on communities and individuals.”
Abdullahi said the north had never experienced this level of insecurity.
He criticised the President issuing threats and promises that have no effect.
