Insecurity: Nigeria free to seek help from outside – Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that Nigeria is free to seek help from outside the country in its ongoing battle against insecurity. He made this known while speaking on the persistent security challenges facing the nation, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and violent attacks across different regions.
Obasanjo stated that insecurity remains one of the greatest threats to Nigeria’s unity, economy, and overall stability. He noted that while Nigeria must strengthen its own security architecture, there is nothing wrong with seeking external assistance when internal efforts alone are not producing the desired results. According to him, national security should never be clouded by pride or political considerations when lives are at risk.
The former president stressed that protecting citizens must be the top priority of any government. He added that countries across the world often rely on intelligence sharing, military cooperation, and technical support from allies to defeat complex security threats. He explained that Nigeria, as a sovereign nation, has the right to explore all lawful options available to restore peace.
His comments have sparked reactions across the country, with many Nigerians agreeing that the scale of insecurity now requires stronger international support. Others believe that foreign help should only complement, not replace, local security efforts. The debate has further highlighted the urgent need for decisive action to end the prolonged security crisis.
Obasanjo also urged the federal government to improve coordination among security agencies and invest more in intelligence gathering, modern equipment, and personnel welfare. He maintained that without a secure environment, meaningful development and economic growth would remain difficult to achieve.
