It said it was sad about the recent massacre of 43 rice farmers in Borno State.

The group’s spokesman, Abdulazeez Suleiman, briefing reporters on its intention in Abuja, said the decision was justifiable in view of government’s alleged abdication of the primary responsibility to secure every part of the country.

CNG said unless the security situation in the North improved, a regulated self-protection plan by the people was vital.

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Suleiman said: “In the light of the current general and pervasive insecurity being felt across the North and the realisation that leaders such as the ones we have, who cannot be advised or criticised, are a liability, our conviction has increased that the only remaining option is for the people to mobilise for a regulated self-protection.

“The indisputable fact that President Muhammadu Buhari and his government have abdicated their primary responsibility of securing every part of the nation, are justifications for the demand for concerted but regulated self- protection initiatives.

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“When ISIS began invading the Kurdistan region of Iraq, the Kurdish Peshmerga did not just surrender their hope and destiny to the Iraqi forces. Instead, they composed regimented and volunteer forces, fully funded and backed by their regional authorities, fought in defence of their homes and families and they prevailed.

“This can as well be replicated in the North if all citizens cooperate to raise sufficient funds through individual donations and mobilise youths for coordinated action to achieve full cessation of hostilities, disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration.”

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CNG said it would convoke an all Northern Nigeria Security Review in Kaduna next week to discuss how to achieve comprehensive synergy between states for uniform action, mobilisation of broad-based community action and improvement of security cooperation in, especially information sharing imperatives.

“The review session shall draw representation from security experts, traditional and religious groups, the civil society, business community, government, trade, youth and women’s associations from each of the 19 northern states,” Suleiman said.

He added that with no evidence of a willingness on the part of elected public officials to honour their oath to provide security over Nigerians, the coalition would articulate its demand for a thorough review and interrogation of the alleged exploitation of the war against terror for commercial gain.