Obasanjo: Nigeria Has Every Right to Seek Foreign Help to End Insecurity

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says Nigeria owes no explanation to anyone for seeking assistance from the international community to confront the country’s worsening insecurity, insisting that lives are being lost daily regardless of faith, ethnicity, or political leaning.

Speaking on Friday night at the Plateau Unity Christmas Carols and Praise Festival in Jos, Obasanjo urged the government to urgently embrace modern technology to track and stop killers, stressing that no criminal should be beyond the reach of security agencies.

“In these days of technology, there should be nobody who can hide after committing a crime,” he said.
“Before I left government, we had the capacity to pick up anybody in Nigeria once identified… Every Nigerian life matters, whether Christian, Muslim or pagan. Nigerians are being killed; this must stop.”

He maintained that Nigerians have the right to seek international support when local measures prove insufficient, saying the protection of human life must remain the country’s top priority.

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, also spoke at the event, expressing confidence that Nigeria would prevail over its present challenges.

“By the grace of God, those who want Nigeria destroyed will not succeed,” he declared, adding prayers for continued strength and wisdom for national and state leaders.

Mutfwang explained that the annual carol festival was conceived as a platform to unify Plateau people through worship and gratitude.

“God is delighted when we come together in unity to exalt His name. Despite all odds, we are gathered again this year to celebrate the goodness of God in the land of the living,” he said.

He welcomed dignitaries at the event, including Obasanjo; General Lawrence Onoja (rtd.); former Plateau Governors Joshua Dariye and Jonah Jang (with his wife, Ngo Talatu); former Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen; former Adamawa Governor, Boni Haruna; former Chief of Defence Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd.); and GOC 3 Division, Major General Folorunsho Oyinlola.

Celebrating the diverse gathering of worshippers, Mutfwang said Plateau residents had set aside denominational divisions to worship together.
“With unity, we will shut the door against the enemy that troubles us,” he added.

The festival featured ministrations by gospel artists including Buchi, Uche Etiaba, Pastor Chingtok, and choirs from various denominations.

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