Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that Nigerians have a right to appeal for outside help over the rising insecurity in the country.
Obasanjo said this at the 2025 Christmas Carols and Festival Songs organised by the Plateau State Government on Friday in Jos.
He said the issue should not be whether those killed were of any religion, tribe, or part of the country they come from, but that the government should stop the killing.
He said: “The government should stop the killing of Nigerians, no matter what religion they belong to, no matter what part of the country they come from, no matter what tribe they belong to.
“We are being killed, and the killing of Nigerians must stop.
“We have a right—yes, a right as Nigerians—to appeal to the international community for help, and we should offer no apology for that.
“That is not acceptable, and nobody should accept that.
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“We will pray, and we will continue to pray.
“But when we pray, we must also do what we have to do.
“We must ask the government to do what it has to do at all levels.
“We should ask our leaders to do what they have to do at all levels, in all walks of life, to preserve life.
“And because we are part of the global community, we should also appeal to the international community.
“For me, every Nigerian life that is lost is a shame to Nigeria.
“Every Nigerian life that is taken by criminals, no matter the reason they give, is a shame for Nigeria.
“And we must ensure that Nigeria gets what it needs.”
Obasanjo then urged Nigerians to pray for leaders at all levels so they can succeed in making the nation better and greater, adding that with advancements in technology, Nigeria should be able to tackle its security challenges effectively.
He added: “With technology, there should be no hiding place for any criminal.
“The life of every Nigerian, whether Christian, Muslim, or pagan, matters.
“With drones, we can fish these criminals out.
“Why are we apologising?
“Why are we negotiating?”
