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Obasanjo: Nigerians Can Seek International Help If Government Fails to Protect Them

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has declared that Nigerians have every right to seek assistance from the international community if their own government fails to protect them from insecurity.

Obasanjo made the statement on Friday while speaking at the Plateau Unity Christmas and Praise Festival held at the Ten Commandments Prayer Altar in Dwei-Du, Jos South LGA of Plateau State.

“We Are Being Killed… Government Seems Incapable” — Obasanjo

The former president criticised the handling of security challenges across the country, saying Nigerians are dying daily while authorities appear overwhelmed.

According to him:

“We Nigerians — regardless of religion, tribe or profession — are being killed, and our government seems incapable of protecting us.
We are part of the world community. If our government cannot do it, we have the right to call on the international community to help us.”

Obasanjo added that every Nigerian life matters and leaders at all levels must be held accountable.

‘With Technology Today, No Criminal Should Be Hidden’

Obasanjo stressed that modern technology has made it impossible for criminals to hide, insisting that the government has the tools to track and eliminate armed groups.

He recalled that during his time in office, Nigeria already had the ability to identify and locate criminals anywhere in the country.

“Before I left government, we had the capacity to pick anybody in Nigeria. What we didn’t have then was the ability to take them out without moving by land or air.
Today we have drones. You can take them out. Why are we not doing that?”

Questions Negotiations With Criminals

Obasanjo also faulted the government’s repeated negotiations with bandits, saying such deals only embolden criminals.

“Why are we negotiating? And after government pays these criminals, government denies it.”

Calls for Urgent Action

The former president insisted that the killings across the country — whether of Christians, Muslims or traditional worshippers — must end.

“We are tired of being killed. The killing of Nigerians must stop.”

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Ogunsola Gbenga is the Founder and Publisher of NaijaWide Media, the publisher of TheNaijaWide.ng, an independent Nigerian digital news publication covering Nigerian, African and international news.

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