Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has issued one of his most forceful critiques of Nigeria’s handling of insecurity, warning that the state’s inability to protect citizens has reached a point that warrants international intervention.
Speaking at the Plateau State Unity Christmas Carols in Jos on Friday, Obasanjo said the relentless cycle of killings, kidnappings, and armed attacks shows that the country’s security institutions are no longer capable of confronting the threats they face.
He recalled that insecurity had long troubled Nigeria, but that the situation deteriorated sharply after the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls.
“The primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property. When a government cannot deliver that, citizens have the right to seek help from the international community,” he said.
Obasanjo condemned efforts to frame the violence along religious or ethnic lines, calling such interpretations “nonsensical” and dangerous.
According to him, Nigerians are being killed indiscriminately, and attempts to justify one set of killings based on another only distract from the state’s obligation to act decisively.
He stressed that prayer, while valuable, cannot substitute for concrete security measures, and urged leaders at all levels to take responsibility for stopping the violence.
Addressing the gathering, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang urged residents to rebuild unity as the bedrock of peace and development.
He said internal divisions had stalled progress despite the state’s immense potential, calling on citizens to prioritise shared values and mutual trust.
Declaring the Christmas festival open, he said its purpose this year was to strengthen social harmony and reaffirm a collective commitment to a secure and prosperous Plateau.
Religious leaders present echoed a message of resilience.
Amos Mohzo, President of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), expressed confidence that Nigeria would ultimately prevail over its challenges and praised the state government for sustaining the Unity Christmas Carols in the face of ongoing security pressures.
