Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to identify and dismantle the bandit networks ravaging the country, warning that Nigerians are justified in seeking international help if the government fails to protect them.
Speaking on Friday, November 28, at the Plateau Unity Christmas and Praise Festival, Obasanjo lamented what he described as the government’s inability to safeguard its citizens despite continuous killings across regions and religious lines. He called the situation “senseless” and unacceptable.
“We are members of the global community. If our government cannot protect us, we have the right to call on the international community to step in. If people are being killed, the government is responsible for addressing it. We must demand action from our leaders at every level,” he said.
Obasanjo stressed that with today’s advanced technology, no criminal should be able to hide after committing violent acts. He noted that during his administration, the government could identify criminals but lacked the technology to apprehend them remotely—an obstacle he says no longer exists.
“Before I left office, we already had the capability to locate anyone in Nigeria. The only limitation then was picking them up without moving by land or air. Now we have drones that can handle that. So why aren’t we using them? Why are we negotiating? And after paying criminals, government officials still deny it,” he added.
He condemned any form of negotiation with armed groups and urged authorities to take decisive action to protect citizens.
“We are tired of bloodshed. Whether Christian, Muslim, or otherwise, every Nigerian life matters. The killings must end,” he stressed.
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