Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the federal government to urgently address the rising insecurity plaguing Nigeria.
Speaking on Sunday at the palace of Rilwanu Suleiman-Adamu, the Emir of Bauchi, Obasanjo expressed deep concern over the current state of security in the country, describing it as “bad.”
Obasanjo said the security situation in Nigeria today is so “bad”, adding that his administration prioritised safety of lives and property.
“The best form of security is community policing because everyone knows his or her neighbours within the community. With that, it is very easy to identify the bad eggs.
“The situation of insecurity in Nigeria today is so bad, unlike during our terms in office when we prioritised the security of lives and properties across the country. We need to do something urgently about this.”
Obasanjo, who served as Nigeria’s military head of state from 1976 to 1979 and civilian president from 1999 to 2007, urged traditional rulers to promote community policing in their respective domains as part of efforts to curb the rising crime rate. He stressed the importance of collective effort in maintaining peace and security.
“During our service to the nation, we did everything collectively. Our decisions were taken together to have a uniform focus,” he said, while acknowledging the presence of Ahmed Adamu Mu’Azu, a fellow leader from his administration.
“We need peace, unity, and collective support in this country if we must move forward. Things can be right and good again in the country. All we need to do is to get united and do things collectively.”
Obasanjo’s remarks come at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with complex security issues, ranging from banditry and insurgency to communal clashes.
During his presidency, Nigeria faced significant security challenges, including the rise of militant groups in the Niger Delta. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), the Egbesu Boys, the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), and other militant organizations fought for control of the region’s oil wealth, attacking oil installations and kidnapping workers.
In the southeast, vigilante groups like the Bakassi Boys took law enforcement into their own hands, resulting in widespread human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and unlawful detentions. At the same time, sectarian violence flared up in other parts of the country, most notably the Jos riots of 2001, which claimed an estimated 2,000 lives, and unrest related to the introduction of Sharia law in northern Nigeria.
While addressing security concerns, Obasanjo also commended Governor Bala Mohammed for his developmental efforts in Bauchi. He praised the newly commissioned road projects, noting their significance in improving the state’s infrastructure and boosting economic growth.
“I believe that leadership is not about personal ambition but about collective progress and the well-being of our people. The project we are inaugurating today is part of our larger ambition for the state.” Obasanjo said
Chioma Kalu
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