Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed grave concerns over the escalating violence in Nigeria, stating that citizens may need to seek international assistance if the government fails to ensure their safety. He made these remarks during the second edition of the Plateau State Unity Christmas Carol in Jos on December 22, 2023.
Obasanjo highlighted the persistent insecurity that has plagued Nigeria for years, indicating that it has now reached an unacceptable level. “One problem we have is insecurity, and it has been with us. It did not begin with this administration, not even with the administration before it,” he said. He traced the issue back to the infamous kidnapping of the Chibok girls, asserting that violence has only intensified since then.
The former president criticized the tendency to justify killings along ethnic or religious lines, labeling such rationalizations as dangerous. “For anybody at any time to say that when Nigerians are being killed, the explanation is that those killed belong to this group or another group is nonsensical. We are being killed. We are Nigerians, no matter the religion or where you come from,” he emphasized.
Obasanjo urged the government at all levels to fulfill its constitutional duty to protect its citizens. He stated, “The first responsibility of any government is the protection and security of its citizens, but our government seems incapable of protecting us.” He warned that if the government cannot adequately address the security crisis, Nigerians would be justified in seeking 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 declared. He also questioned why security agencies are not leveraging existing technology to track and apprehend criminal gangs. “In these days of technology, nobody should be able to hide anywhere after committing a crime,” he noted, pointing out that the capabilities to identify and locate criminals exist.
Obasanjo’s call for action was echoed by Caleb Mutfwang, the Governor of Plateau State, who described the Unity Carol as a symbol of the state’s commitment to healing and unity despite ongoing conflicts. He urged citizens to prioritize what unites them over divisions. “Plateau is a blessed state, but we have not been able to achieve much because we are fighting one another,” he stated.
Mutfwang emphasized that unity is essential to combat insecurity, asserting, “With unity we will be able to shut the door against the enemy that troubles us.” The Plateau Unity Christmas Carol, which began last year, aims to serve as a platform for worship and reconciliation across ethnic, religious, and political divides.
As Nigeria grapples with an increase in violent crimes, the calls for both governmental accountability and international support underscore the urgent need for effective solutions to restore safety and security for its citizens.
