Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has voiced grave concerns about the escalating violence in Nigeria, suggesting that the nation may require international assistance if its government fails to ensure the safety of its citizens. Obasanjo made these remarks on December 15, 2023, during the second edition of the Plateau State Unity Christmas Carol held at the Ten Commandments Prayer Alter in Jos.
During his address, Obasanjo highlighted the alarming state of insecurity in Nigeria, stating, “The first responsibility of any government is the protection and security of its citizens, but our government seems incapable of protecting us.” He emphasized that the ongoing violence, including kidnappings and killings, has reached an intolerable level, and citizens are increasingly at risk.
Calls for Accountability and Action
Reflecting on Nigeria’s long history of violence, Obasanjo noted, “This did not begin with this administration, not even with the administration before it.” He pointed out that insecurity has deteriorated significantly since the infamous kidnapping of the Chibok girls in 2014. The former leader criticized attempts to justify violence based on ethnic or religious affiliations, labeling such rationalizations as “nonsensical.”
“We are being killed. We are Nigerians, no matter the religion or where you come from, we are being killed,”
he stated emphatically. His remarks underscore a growing frustration among Nigerians regarding the government’s inability to provide adequate security.
Obasanjo further urged that if local authorities cannot safeguard their citizens, there is a legitimate right for Nigerians to seek help from the international community. “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. We should have no apology for that,” he asserted.
Technological Solutions and Unity
The former president also questioned why security agencies are not leveraging available technology to combat crime effectively. “In these days of technology, nobody should be able to hide anywhere after committing a crime,” he remarked, recalling the capabilities that existed during his time in office. “Before I left government, I knew we had the capacity to identify and locate anybody in Nigeria who committed a crime,” he added, advocating for increased use of modern tools to enhance public safety.
Joining Obasanjo at the event, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State expressed the need for unity among citizens to overcome the challenges posed by insecurity. He described the Unity Carol as a symbol of the state’s commitment to healing and cohesion, despite the conflicts of recent years. “Plateau is a blessed state, but we have not been able to achieve much because we are fighting one another,” Mutfwang stated, urging residents to focus on what unites them rather than what divides them.
The Plateau Unity Christmas Carol, initiated in 2022, aims to foster community spirit and bridge divides among various ethnic, religious, and political groups. Governor Mutfwang emphasized that unity is essential for defeating insecurity, asserting that “with unity we will be able to shut the door against the enemy that troubles us.”
As Nigeria grapples with persistent violence, the urgent call from leaders like Obasanjo and Mutfwang highlights the critical need for a concerted effort to restore safety and unity within the nation.
