Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has delivered one of his strongest public rebukes yet of Nigeria’s handling of insecurity, declaring that the government has failed in its primary duty to protect citizens and must immediately end what he described as excuses, denials, and appeasement of violent criminals.
In an address reported by Channels Television on Friday FROM 6:32, November 28, 2025, Obasanjo condemned the continued killings across the country and insisted that no Nigerian regardless of tribe, religion, or region, should live under the fear of bandits and terrorists.
Obasanjo criticised the tendency of some leaders to rationalise the crisis by comparing casualties across different regions. Describing such arguments as nonsensical, he said the loss of any Nigerian life is a national tragedy that requires urgent action, not political or ethnic excuses.
The former president dismissed claims that attacks were targeted at only certain groups, insisting that the killings affect Nigerians of all backgrounds. “Every Nigerian life that is lost, no matter what religion or tribe, is a shame for Nigeria,” he said.
Obasanjo also referenced Nigeria’s technological capabilities, revealing that even before he left office, the country possessed satellite systems capable of identifying criminals operating anywhere within its borders. With newer advancements, he argued, the government now has more than enough tools to locate and neutralize violent actors “We can take them out,” he said emphatically. “Why are we not doing that? Why are we apologizing? Why are we negotiating?”
He accused authorities of repeatedly denying obvious security failures and allowing bandits to operate with impunity. “It has to stop,” he declared. Obasanjo also emphasized that national security requires collective responsibility, from communities, institutions, and international partners where necessary. While acknowledging the role of prayer, he stressed that prayer without corresponding action is insufficient. View, More,
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