Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the country’s escalating insecurity, saying Nigerians have the right to seek international assistance if the government fails to protect its citizens.
Speaking in Jos, Plateau State, during a public event, Obasanjo lamented the rising number of killings across Nigeria and condemned the government’s inability to respond effectively. He emphasised that no citizen should lose their life because of their tribe, religion, or region.
“No matter your religion, your region, or your profession, Nigerians are being killed, and our government seems powerless to protect us. We are part of the global community. If our government cannot act, we have the right to appeal to the international community,” he said.
The former president rejected claims that the crisis affects only specific groups or regions, stressing that every life lost is a national tragedy. “To say people are being killed because of their region, religion, or tribe while others are also dying is no excuse,” he added.
Obasanjo also reflected on the security capabilities during his administration, noting that agencies could track criminals anywhere in the country, but lacked the technology to neutralise them without deploying troops on the ground or via air.
“Before leaving office, we had the capacity to locate any criminal in Nigeria. What we didn’t have was the ability to apprehend them without moving forces by land or air,” he explained.
He highlighted that Nigeria now possesses drone technology capable of targeting identified terrorists remotely, yet the current government opts for negotiations and apologies instead of decisive action. “Now we have drones. We can take them out. So why are we apologising? Why are we negotiating?” he questioned.
