Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed deep frustration over Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, warning that the country can no longer justify the scale of killings and may eventually require international assistance if government efforts continue to fall short.
Obasanjo issued the warning in Jos on Friday night at the second edition of the Plateau Unity Christmas Carols and Praise Festival held at the Ten Commandments Prayer Altar.
Speaking at the event, he lamented that Nigerians have endured years of relentless violence, kidnappings and community attacks. He said excuses rooted in ethnicity, region or religion can no longer justify the persistent loss of innocent lives.
According to him, leadership must always guarantee the protection of citizens and should not hesitate to seek foreign support if domestic systems continue to fail.
“We are being killed. We Nigerians no matter the religion, no matter where you come from, no matter your profession we are being killed. And our government seems incapable of protecting us
“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. And we should have no apology for that,” He stated.
He went further to criticise what he described as weak and inconsistent security responses, including alleged negotiations with criminal groups.
He argued that with advancements in surveillance technology, criminals should not be able to evade detection or escape justice, insisting that every preventable death reflects a national failure.
“Why are we apologising? Why are we negotiating? And after government has paid these criminals, government denies it—and the thing continues. It has to stop
“In these days of technology, nobody should be able to hide anywhere after committing a crime. With satellites you can pick them out. Now we have capacity—with drones you can take them out.”
“For me, every Nigerian life that is lost is a shame for Nigeria. Every Nigerian life that is lost to criminals no matter the excuse is a shame for Nigeria,” he emphasised
Earlier in his remarks, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang said the Unity Christmas Carol was established to promote healing, reconciliation and collective worship across ethnic and denominational lines in the state.
“Individually, we can worship God in our homes, but God is also delighted when we come together as a people in unity to worship and exalt His name. And this has been the vision that gave birth to this gathering,” he noted.
Mutfwang urged citizens to set aside divisions and work together for peace and progress. He said: “With unity we will achieve a lot. With unity, we will be able to shut the door against the enemy that troubles us. With unity, we will speak with one voice.”
He also acknowledged dignitaries in attendance, including former President Obasanjo; General Lawrence Onoja (rtd.); former Plateau Governors Joshua Dariye and Jonah Jang, who attended with his wife, Ngo Talatu; former Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen; former Adamawa State Governor, Boni Haruna; former Chief of Defence Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd.); and the GOC 3 Division, Major General Folorunsho Oyinlola, among others.
The event featured ministrations from renowned gospel artistes including Buchi, Uche Etiaba and Pastor Chingtok, as well as performances by choirs from various denominations.
