Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that Nigerians have the right to call on the international community for help if the government is unable to protect lives and property. He made the statement during the 2025 Plateau Unity Christmas Carol held at the Ten Commandments Altar in Jos, where he was a special guest of the Plateau State Government.
Speaking at the event, Obasanjo expressed deep worry over the rising level of insecurity across the country. He said the primary duty of any government is to secure the lives of its citizens, and when that responsibility is not fulfilled, the people should not feel guilty about seeking help from outside the country.
“If our government cannot do it, we have the 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 said.
Obasanjo’s comments come at a time when many Nigerians are concerned about frequent attacks in several states. Communities in the North-West, North-Central, and parts of the South have continued to experience killings, kidnappings, and bandit attacks. He noted that Nigeria should not still be struggling with basic security challenges when modern technology exists to track and stop criminals.
The former president, who once served as a military head of state and later as a democratic president from 1999 to 2007, criticised the government’s response to insecurity. He said criminals should not have the freedom to unleash violence and disappear into thin air, especially with the availability of tools such as drones, satellites, and improved communication systems.
“Why are we apologizing? Why are we negotiating?” he asked. “The government must stop the killing of Nigerians. We are being killed, we are tired, and we want the killing to stop.”
Obasanjo’s remarks reflect the frustration felt by many citizens who believe that insecurity has gone on for too long. Attacks by bandits, terrorists, and armed gangs have continued despite efforts by security agencies. In several rural areas, residents have fled their homes due to fear of night raids, kidnapping for ransom, and destruction of property.
Nigeria has been battling different forms of insecurity for more than a decade. The Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East, which started in 2009, has led to thousands of deaths and displacement of millions of people. Although the group has weakened, its offshoot, ISWAP, remains active.
In the North-West and North-Central, banditry has become a major threat. Armed groups often attack villages, kidnap travellers on highways, and demand huge ransoms. Farmers also struggle to access their farms because of fear of attacks, causing food prices to rise.
Other parts of the country face similar challenges. In the South-East, separatist violence and attacks on police stations have increased. In the South-South, oil theft and pipeline vandalism continue to affect communities and the economy.
While speaking in Jos, Obasanjo noted that protecting citizens is not something the government should treat lightly. He urged leaders at all levels—federal, state, and local—to accept responsibility and act with urgency. According to him, excuses no longer make sense because people are dying every day.
He stressed that Nigeria must use technology more effectively. With drones, satellite images, and improved communication networks, he said, it is possible to locate criminals, monitor their movements, and block escape routes. He wondered why bandits and terrorists still operate freely even when such tools exist.
The venue of the Christmas Carol, Plateau State, has its own long history of security challenges. For more than two decades, the state has witnessed clashes between farmers and herders, ethnic tensions, and attacks by armed groups. Many communities have been displaced and are still rebuilding.
Although the state has experienced relative calm in recent years, isolated attacks still occur, prompting leaders to call for constant vigilance. Obasanjo’s attendance at the event was seen as a show of support for peace efforts in the state.
Obasanjo’s comments are expected to spark national debate. Some Nigerians may agree that seeking international help is necessary, especially if domestic efforts continue to fall short. Others may argue that depending on foreign intervention could undermine national pride or lead to external influence in Nigeria’s internal affairs.
As insecurity continues to affect economic activities, education, farming and daily life, Obasanjo urged leaders to take bold decisions. He said Nigerians should not apologize for demanding protection, adding that the country must show seriousness in confronting the crisis.
