President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed deep shock and grief over the killing of 69 people in Niger Republic by insurgents on the country’s common border with Mali and Burkina Faso.

Reacting to the incident on Friday in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu in Abuja, President Buhari said:

“This dastardly and callous attack on innocent people, including a mayor in Niger Republic, is a disturbing setback to the regional efforts to stem terrorist activities that have caused massive destructions in our countries.”

According to the president, this remorseless and mindless violence has no place in the civilized world where the sanctity of life is valued.

He said: ”Indiscriminate violence on innocent people in one place is a threat everywhere in Africa, and therefore, there is the urgency of greater cooperation among African countries to nip terrorist threats in the bud.

”We share your grief over this tragic incident. We (African leaders) must leave no stone unturned to frustrate and defeat these common enemies of humanity.

”Terrorism shouldn’t be treated as a localized security threat, because it’s spreading its tentacles far beyond our imaginations.

“It’s high time we pulled resources and efforts together to defeat these callous criminals who are causing serious social and economic disruptions in our countries.”

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President Buhari assured that Nigeria would continue to support her neighbors in the common efforts to fight terrorism.

”May the souls of the victims rest in peace. May God comfort their families,” he prayed.