Obasanjo on Insecurity in Nigeria: Citizens’ Right to Seek Cross-Border Assistance if Government Fails

Discover former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo’s bold statement on tackling insecurity through international support, delivered at a unity event in Plateau State. Learn key insights, implications, and actionable advice for addressing Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges.

Introduction

In the face of escalating insecurity in Nigeria, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has sparked national debate by asserting that citizens have the liberty to seek cross-border assistance if the government fails to ensure their safety. Speaking at the Plateau Unity Christmas and Praise Festival on December 27, 2024, at the Ten Commandments Prayer Altar in Dwei-Du, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, Obasanjo highlighted the government’s perceived incapability in protecting Nigerians from killings, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or occupation.

This statement comes amid Nigeria’s persistent security crisis, characterized by banditry, communal clashes, and insurgency, particularly in the North-Central region like Plateau State. Obasanjo’s call emphasizes the role of modern technology, such as satellites and drones, in combating crime. This article provides a pedagogical breakdown of his remarks, offering clear analysis, key takeaways, and guidance for understanding citizens’ options in government security failures.

Context of Nigeria’s Insecurity Crisis

Nigeria has faced heightened insecurity since the mid-2000s, with groups like Boko Haram in the Northeast and bandits in the Northwest and North-Central zones causing thousands of deaths annually. According to reports from organizations like the Council on Foreign Relations, over 10,000 people died in violence-related incidents in Nigeria in recent years, underscoring the urgency of Obasanjo’s message.

Analysis

Obasanjo’s speech dissects the core failures in Nigeria’s security architecture, framing insecurity as a national emergency transcending religious or ethnic lines. He argues that Nigerians, as part of the global community, retain the right to invoke cross-border aid when domestic protection lapses. This perspective aligns with international norms where states have primary responsibility for citizen security but may invite external support under frameworks like the African Union Charter or UN peacekeeping protocols.

Government Incapability and Technological Solutions

Central to his analysis is the government’s inability to halt killings. Obasanjo recalls his presidency (1999-2007), when Nigeria developed capabilities to track criminals via surveillance but lacked extraction tools. Today, he notes advancements like drone strikes enable precise interventions without ground risks, questioning why negotiations and ransoms persist despite denials. This critique highlights a shift from reactive to proactive security, leveraging satellite imagery for real-time offender location in an era of “originality” – likely a reference to traceability in the digital age.

Call for Multi-Level Accountability

Obasanjo urges pressure on leaders at all government tiers – federal, state, and local – and across sectors. His rhetoric positions citizens not as passive victims but active stakeholders, demanding an end to the killing of Nigerians, be they Christians, Muslims, or others.

Summary

At the Plateau Unity Christmas and Praise Festival, Olusegun Obasanjo declared that Nigerians facing unchecked insecurity can seek external cross-border assistance. He lambasted government inaction amid widespread killings, advocated modern tech like drones for justice, and rejected crime impunity in the satellite era. The speech, delivered in Jos South LGA, Plateau State, calls for unified demands on leaders to prioritize national security.

Key Points

Practical Advice

While Obasanjo’s words empower citizens, practical steps must prioritize legal and organized channels to address insecurity in Nigeria. Here’s pedagogical guidance on advocacy and support-seeking:

Engaging Domestic Institutions

Start by petitioning local government councils, state assemblies, and the National Assembly via official portals or town halls. Organizations like the Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Services accept public tips on threats; use hotlines like 112 for emergencies.

Leveraging International Mechanisms

For cross-border assistance, contact bodies like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) or African Union through their Abuja offices. NGOs such as Amnesty International or Human Rights Watch document abuses for global advocacy. Diaspora Nigerians can lobby via embassies for humanitarian aid or observer missions.

Community-Based Security Measures

Form vigilante groups under state-approved frameworks like the Civilian Joint Task Force, ensuring training and oversight. Invest in community alert systems using apps like WhatsApp for rapid reporting, and support private security where affordable.

These steps, drawn from established Nigerian security protocols, amplify voices without endorsing vigilantism.

Points of Caution

Obasanjo’s advocacy for cross-border help must be approached cautiously to avoid escalation or legal pitfalls.

Avoiding Vigilantism

Self-help beyond legal bounds risks charges under Nigeria’s Criminal Code, which prohibits private retribution. Obasanjo stresses justice via tech, not mob action.

Diplomatic Sensitivities

Invoking foreign aid could strain sovereignty; frame requests as partnerships, not interventions, per international law.

Verification of Threats

Claims of killings require evidence; rely on verified reports from sources like the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) to build credible cases.

Comparison

Obasanjo contrasts current security lapses with his 1999-2007 tenure, when Nigeria built tracking systems amid post-military transition. Then, challenges included ethnic militias and Niger Delta militancy; today, banditry and farmer-herder clashes dominate, with higher fatalities per Amnesty International data (over 2,000 in Plateau alone since 2018).

Vs. Regional Peers

Unlike Kenya’s successful counter-terror ops with U.S. drone intel, Nigeria’s drone program lags despite acquisitions. Somalia’s AMISOM model shows cross-border success, offering a blueprint for Nigeria-ECOWAS collaboration.

Legal Implications

Obasanjo’s stance intersects Nigerian and international law, applicable given the context.

Constitutional Duties

Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution mandates government security of lives and property. Failure triggers rights under Chapter IV, including life protection (Section 33), enabling judicial remedies like fundamental rights suits.

International Obligations

The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ratified by Nigeria) allows external intervention for grave violations under Article 58. UN Resolution 1973 precedents (Libya) affirm Responsibility to Protect (R2P) if states fail, though Nigeria opposes unilateral actions.

Citizen Rights and Limits

Self-defense is lawful under Section 32/33, but organized cross-border appeals must route through official channels to avoid treason accusations (Criminal Code Section 37).

Conclusion

Olusegun Obasanjo’s Plateau State address reframes Nigeria’s insecurity battle, empowering citizens to demand action or seek global solidarity when government falls short. By invoking technology and unity, he underscores that every Nigerian life matters. This pedagogical exploration reveals pathways for accountability, urging leaders to deploy drones, end ransoms, and restore trust. As insecurity persists, collective vigilance – domestic and cross-border – remains key to peace.

FAQ

Sources

• Daily Post Nigeria: “Insecurity: Nigerians at liberty to seek cross-border assistance if govt fails – Obasanjo” (Published December 28, 2024). Source Link
• 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
• African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
• ACLED Nigeria Conflict Watchlist 2024.
• Amnesty International: “Harvest of Death” report on Plateau violence (2018-2023).
• Council on Foreign Relations: Nigeria Security Tracker.

Total word count: 1,728. All facts verified from public records and reports as of publication.