Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has broken his silence on growing calls for international intervention in Nigeria's escalating security crisis, making cryptic comments that defend citizens' rights to seek foreign help while avoiding direct mention of US President Donald Trump's military threat.
Obasanjo's Stance on International Partnership
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Plateau Unity Christmas Carols and Praise Festival in Jos on Friday, November 28, 2025, Obasanjo declared that no Nigerian should apologize for seeking international community assistance in addressing the country's worsening insecurity. The former president emphasized that lives are being lost daily across Nigeria, regardless of religious affiliation, political alignment, or ethnic background.
Obasanjo carefully avoided direct commentary on President Trump's specific threat to launch military operations in Nigeria, instead focusing on the broader principle of international cooperation. He insisted that Nigerians maintain the right to seek international partnerships when domestic efforts to address security challenges prove insufficient.
Technology as Solution to Security Challenges
The former head of state called on the federal government to immediately deploy modern technology to combat the persistent killings across the nation. He expressed confidence that with proper technological deployment, no criminal could escape the reach of security agencies.
"In these days of technology, there should be nobody who can hide after committing a crime," Obasanjo stated emphatically. He recalled that during his administration, the government possessed the capability to apprehend anyone once identified through technological means.
Obasanjo stressed that Nigeria has the capacity to neutralize security threats with appropriate technology, emphasizing that saving lives should remain the country's top priority. He affirmed that the lives of all Nigerians—"Christian, Muslim or pagan"—matter equally and that the ongoing killings must stop immediately.
Background of Trump's Military Threat
The context for Obasanjo's comments stems from President Trump's recent declaration to launch military action in Nigeria, following his allegation that Christians are being systematically targeted in the country. This threat emerged after the United States redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.
Recent revelations from the United States Department of Justice indicate that pro-Biafra advocacy groups significantly influenced American policymakers regarding their stance on Nigeria. Documents show that diaspora organization pressure contributed substantially to Trump's decision to designate Nigeria with the special concern status.
While Obasanjo chose not to directly address Trump's specific military threat, his defense of those calling for foreign intervention in sovereign Nigeria represents a significant political statement amid escalating international attention on the country's security situation.
