Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says Nigerians have “the right” to seek support from the international community in light of the country’s worsening security challenges.
Obasanjo made the remark on Friday during a Christmas Carol event held in Jos, the Plateau state capital.
In recent weeks, insecurity has escalated sharply across the nation. Over 200 schoolchildren were abducted in Niger and Kebbi states, while the attack and kidnapping of worshippers in a church in Kwara were livestreamed.
A military convoy in Borno was also ambushed by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), resulting in the capture of M. Uba, a brigadier general, who was later executed by the terrorists.
There have additionally been reports of kidnappings and killings in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Yobe states.
Responding to the situation, Obasanjo stated that the Bola Tinubu administration is “incapable of protecting” Nigerians.
He stressed that the government must stop “apologising” and “negotiating” with terrorists and instead confront them decisively.
“No matter what religion you belong to, no matter where you come from, no matter what profession you are in, we Nigerians are being killed, and our government seems to be incapable of protecting us,” Obasanjo said.
“We are part of the world community, and 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.”
On Wednesday, Tinubu declared a national security emergency and directed the immediate recruitment of additional security personnel.