Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has condemned the rising insecurity across the country, warning that Nigeria can no longer justify the scale of killings and may need to seek international assistance if government efforts continue to fall short.
Obasanjo issued the warning in Jos on Friday night at the second edition of the Plateau Unity Christmas Carols and Praise Festival, held at the Ten Commandments Prayer Altar.He said Nigerians have endured years of violence, kidnappings and community attacks, insisting that excuses based on ethnicity, region or religion cannot explain the persistent loss of innocent lives.
“We are being killed. We Nigerians—no matter the religion, no matter where you come from, no matter your profession—we are being killed. And our government seems incapable of protecting us,” he said.
He added that if Nigeria’s internal security mechanisms remain ineffective, citizens have the right to seek external intervention.
“If our government cannot do it, we have a right to call on the international community to do for us what our government cannot do. And we should have no apology for that,” he stated.
Obasanjo also criticised what he described as weak security responses, especially alleged negotiations with criminal groups. He argued that with modern surveillance technology, criminals should not be able to escape detection.
“Why are we apologising? Why are we negotiating? And after government has paid these criminals, government denies it—and the thing continues. It has to stop.
“In these days of technology, nobody should be able to hide anywhere after committing a crime. With satellites you can pick them out. Now we have capacity—with drones you can take them out.” he added.
He emphasised that every preventable death is a national failure. “For me, every Nigerian life that is lost is a shame for Nigeria. Every Nigerian life that is lost to criminals—no matter the excuse—is a shame for Nigeria.”
Earlier, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang said the Unity Christmas Carol was created to promote healing, reconciliation and collective worship across ethnic and denominational lines.
“Individually, we can worship God in our homes, but God is also delighted when we come together as a people in unity to worship and exalt His name. And this has been the vision that gave birth to this gathering,” he said.
The governor urged residents to prioritise unity for the sake of peace and development. “With unity we will achieve a lot. With unity, we will be able to shut the door against the enemy that troubles us. With unity, we will speak with one voice,” he added.
Dignitaries at the event included former President Obasanjo; General Lawrence Onoja (rtd.); former Plateau Governors Joshua Dariye and Jonah Jang, who attended with his wife, Ngo Talatu; Dame Pauline Tallen; former Adamawa State Governor, Boni Haruna; former Chief of Defence Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd.); and GOC 3 Division, Major General Folorunsho Oyinlola.
The festival featured ministrations from Buchi, Uche Etiaba, Pastor Chingtok and choirs from various denominations.
