Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has firmly opposed suggestions that the Federal Government should negotiate with bandits, insisting that Nigeria must take bold, decisive steps — including seeking international support — to tackle worsening insecurity across the country.
Speaking at the Plateau State Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival in Jos on Friday, Obasanjo expressed deep concern over the rising wave of killings, kidnappings, and attacks ravaging communities, especially in the northern region.
He criticised the government’s approach, saying it should stop “apologising and negotiating with terrorists,” stressing that citizens deserve better protection.
The former President referenced several recent incidents — including the abduction of 315 students and 13 teachers in Niger State, the kidnapping of 26 schoolgirls in Kebbi, and multiple fresh attacks in Kano and Kwara — as proof that insecurity is spiralling.
Obasanjo said Nigerians have a right to seek help from the international community if their own government fails to protect them.
“No matter your tribe, religion, or profession, Nigerians are being killed and our government seems incapable of stopping it,” he said. “If our government cannot protect us, we have the right to ask the international community to do for us what our government cannot.”
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He added that with modern technology — such as drones and enhanced surveillance tools — Nigeria now has the capability to track and eliminate terrorists, unlike during his administration.
“Before I left office, we could identify criminals anywhere in the country but lacked the technology to apprehend them without physically moving. Today, that technology exists. With drones, we can track and take them out. So why are we not using it? Why are we negotiating?” he questioned.
Obasanjo’s comments add to growing national debate over how to tackle insecurity, especially after several recent government-negotiated releases of abducted victims.
His stance calls for a shift from dialogue to decisive military and technological action, backed by international collaboration if needed.
