Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the Federal Government to abandon what he described as a “weak and apologetic” approach to the nation’s security challenges, insisting that negotiation with terrorists only emboldens violent groups across the country.
Obasanjo made the remarks on Friday in Jos, Plateau State, during the Plateau State Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival, where he delivered a strongly worded message on the worsening state of insecurity in northern communities.
He said the surge in mass abductions, rural attacks, and coordinated raids showed that criminal gangs had become increasingly confident, warning that the government must stop excusing failures and instead deploy every available tool to restore order.
According to him, Nigeria cannot continue to offer concessions to armed groups while citizens are being kidnapped in their homes, schools and places of worship.
The former president argued that the country has enough operational capability to locate and neutralise terrorists, especially with modern surveillance technology and air assets now available to the armed forces. What is missing, he said, is the political will to fully deploy them.
Obasanjo questioned why authorities continued to hold peace talks with groups responsible for killings and abductions when advanced tools such as drones, precision equipment and intelligence systems could be used to dismantle criminal networks.
He maintained that the government’s responsibility is to protect citizens, noting that Nigerians may be forced to seek help from the international community if the situation continues to deteriorate.
The elder statesman said Nigeria’s security crisis had reached a point where the country must be open to external assistance, especially when local institutions fail to respond effectively to persistent attacks.
He also urged the Federal Government to reassess its counterterrorism strategy, stressing that communities across the North have suffered repeated attacks in recent weeks, with women, children, and farmers becoming prime targets.
Obasanjo emphasised that the rising wave of insecurity requires firmer leadership, transparent communication with citizens, and a renewed commitment to safeguarding lives. He warned that anything short of decisive action would prolong the crisis and further weaken public trust in government.
He concluded by urging Nigerians to continue advocating for a more secure nation, saying the public must not remain silent while criminality threatens the foundation of the country.
