Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo
Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the Federal government to halt negotiations plans with bandits, stressing that Nigeria should rather seek international assistance to combat insecurity.
He spoke at the Plateau State Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival held in Jos, the state capital, on Friday.
His statement follows series of killings, abduction and others attacks in communities in the Northern region in recent times.
Recall that 315 students and 13 teachers were abducted from St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State.
The abduction came after the terrorists kidnapped 26 schoolgirls at the Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, on November 17.
In the latest assault, bandits struck the Palaita community, Erena Ward, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting 24 people, including pregnant women, from a rice farm.
About 20 persons were also abducted by bandits in Kano and Kwara between Monday night and Tuesday morning.
Also, 38 worshippers abducted from the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Isegun, Eruku, Ikere, Kwara State, on November 18, were released after the Federal Government negotiated with their abductors.
In the Tuesday attack, 10 persons, including a pregnant woman, nursing mothers, and children were reportedly seized in Isapa community, a few kilometres from Eruku, Kwara State.
During his remark, Obasanjo bemoaned the state of insecurity in the country, calling on the government to seek international assistance.
He said, “No matter what religion you belong to. No matter where you come from. No matter your profession, we Nigerians are being killed, and our government seems to be incapable of protecting us.
“We are part of the world community. 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,” he said.
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