Obasanjo to Federal Government: Stop Apologising and Negotiating With Terrorists

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has advised the Federal Government to put an end to what he described as a pattern of apologising to or negotiating with terrorists and criminal groups across the country.

Obasanjo made the remark while speaking at a recent national security forum, where he warned that Nigeria’s current approach to handling insecurity may be worsening the problem instead of solving it. According to him, governments should never appear weak or desperate when confronting violent groups whose activities threaten public safety and national stability.

The former president argued that offering apologies or entering negotiations with terrorists sends the wrong message, suggesting that the state lacks the capacity or willingness to assert its authority. He noted that criminal elements often interpret government concessions as a sign of vulnerability, leading to escalated attacks, kidnappings, and demands for ransom.

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Obasanjo emphasized that no nation battling insurgency or banditry can achieve long-term peace by appearing subservient to non-state actors. Instead, he called for a stronger and more coordinated security strategy, improved intelligence gathering, and better collaboration among security agencies.

He further stressed that Nigeria must invest in community-driven security solutions while ensuring that security forces are well-equipped, motivated, and properly supervised.

Security analysts have echoed Obasanjo’s concerns, noting that repeated negotiations with terrorists—especially kidnappers and bandit groups—have often resulted in temporary relief but long-term setbacks. Critics argue that such practices encourage more abductions as criminals see it as a profitable venture.

The Federal Government has yet to respond to Obasanjo’s comments, but his statement has already sparked national debate about the best approach to ending Nigeria’s prolonged security crises, especially in the North-West and North-East.