Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the Federal Government to stop negotiating or apologising to terrorists, insisting that Nigeria must take decisive action and leverage international assistance to tackle escalating insecurity.
Speaking at the Plateau State Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival in Jos on Friday, Obasanjo expressed deep concern over the recent surge in killings, kidnappings, and attacks across the North.
He highlighted recent high-profile abductions, including 315 students and 13 teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Niger State on November 21, and the earlier kidnapping of 26 schoolgirls from the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State on November 17.
Obasanjo also referenced attacks on farming and religious communities, including the abduction of 24 people, including pregnant women, from a rice farm in Palaita, Shiroro LGA, Niger State, as well as 20 others seized in Kano and Kwara states in the past week.
These incidents come shortly after 38 worshippers abducted from Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State on November 18 were released following government negotiations, and a separate attack in Isapa community saw 10 people, including pregnant women and children, taken captive.
Speaking at the event, Obasanjo warned that Nigerians have the right to seek foreign intervention if the government fails to protect its citizens.
“No matter your religion, background, or profession, Nigerians are being killed, and our government seems unable to protect us,” he said. “We are part of the world community. If our government cannot ensure our safety, we have the right to call on the international community to act on our behalf.”
Obasanjo emphasized that modern technology now makes it easier to locate and neutralize terrorists. Reflecting on his time in office, he said:
“Before I left government, we had the capacity to track anyone committing a crime in Nigeria. What we lacked then was the ability to apprehend them without moving by land or air. Today, that capacity exists, and it should be fully utilized.”
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