Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says Nigerians are justified in seeking assistance from the international community if the Federal Government fails in its constitutional duty to protect lives and property.

Obasanjo spoke at the 2025 Plateau Unity Christmas Carol held at the Ten Commandments Altar in Jos, where he attended as a special guest at the invitation of the Plateau State Government.

“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, and we should have no apology for that,” he said.

He expressed frustration that, despite the availability of modern surveillance tools such as satellites and drones, criminals continue to operate without trace.

“Why are we apologising? Why are we negotiating? The government must stop the killing of Nigerians. We are being killed, we are tired, and we want the killing to stop,” he said.

Obasanjo noted that insecurity has worsened over the years, recalling that the situation deteriorated further after the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls.

“Since the kidnapping of the Chibok girls, it has continued to go from bad to worse. The first responsibility of any government is the protection and security of its citizens, but our government seems to be incapable of protecting us,” he added.

He also warned against attempts to frame the killings along religious or ethnic lines.

“We Nigerians are being killed no matter the religion you belong to, no matter where you come from. And for anybody saying that when we are being killed, another group is also being killed, I believe that is nonsensical,” he said.

The second edition of the Plateau Unity Christmas Carol drew government officials, religious leaders, traditional rulers, security agencies and thousands of worshippers, who offered prayers for unity, healing and reconciliation in Plateau State and across Nigeria.