Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged the Federal Government to immediately halt the practice of apologizing to, or negotiating with, terrorists amid the worsening insecurity across Nigeria.
Obasanjo gave the charge on Friday while speaking at the Plateau State Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival held in Jos, the state capital.
Rising Wave of Kidnappings Across Northern Nigeria
His remarks come at a time when several communities across the North have suffered renewed attacks from bandits and insurgents.
In recent weeks:
315 students and 13 teachers were abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, on November 21.
24 schoolgirls were kidnapped from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, on November 17.
24 people, including pregnant women, were seized at Palaita community in Shiroro LGA of Niger State during a raid on a rice farm.
About 20 persons were kidnapped across Kano and Kwara States between Monday night and Tuesday morning.
38 church members abducted from CAC Oke-Isegun in Eruku, Kwara State, on November 18 were released after the Federal Government reportedly negotiated with their abductors.
Another attack saw 10 persons, including pregnant and nursing mothers, abducted in Isapa community near Eruku.
Obasanjo: Government Must Wake Up
Addressing the situation, Obasanjo expressed frustration over what he described as the government’s inability to protect its citizens.
He said:
“Our government must stop apologizing and negotiating with terrorists.
We Nigerians are being killed, and our government seems to be incapable of protecting us.”
He added that if Nigeria cannot secure its own people, citizens have a right to seek help from the international community.
“We are part of the world community. If our government cannot do it, we have the right to call on the international community to do for us what our government cannot do for us.”
Call for Firm and Decisive Action
Obasanjo further stressed that the rising insecurity requires urgent, bold action rather than appeasement.
His comments have sparked fresh debate nationwide as Nigerians continue to demand stronger strategies to combat terrorism, kidnapping, and banditry.
