Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has firmly rejected calls for negotiations with bandits, urging Nigeria to take decisive action and seek international assistance to address the growing insecurity in the country. Speaking at the Plateau State Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival in Jos, he emphasized the need for the Federal Government to stop apologizing and negotiating with terrorists.
This stance comes in the wake of increased incidents of killings, abductions, and attacks on communities in northern Nigeria. Notably, on November 21, 315 students and 13 teachers were abducted from St Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State. This followed earlier kidnappings, including 26 schoolgirls in Kebbi State.
In a recent attack, bandits also abducted 24 individuals from a rice farm in Niger State, including pregnant women. The chaos extended to Kano and Kwara states, where numerous abductions occurred within a few days.
Obasanjo expressed frustration over the government’s inability to protect its citizens, stating that Nigerians deserve to seek foreign interventions if their government cannot adequately safeguard them. He remarked on the advancements in technology that could aid in eliminating terrorist threats, highlighting the capabilities drones could provide in tracking down perpetrators.
He questioned why these technologies were not being utilized effectively and why the government continued negotiations instead of taking action.
