Not able to overcome bandits, seek help from international community – Obasanjo
Former president Olusegun Obasanjo
Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has called on incumbent President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to deal with bandits terrorising the country in a bid to ensure the security of the lives and property of all Nigerians.
Obasanjo said, should the government fail to do the needful in ending the killings by the armed groups, Nigerians are at liberty to seek help from outside the country.
This was said on Friday while speaking at the Plateau Unity Christmas and Praise Festival, ongoing at the Ten Commandments Prayer Altar, Dwei-Du, Jos South LGA of Plateau State.
He noted that despite Nigerians, across regions and religions, being killed, the Nigerian government seems incapable of protecting its citizens, describing the killings as “nonsensical.”
“We are part of the world community. If our government cannot do it, we have the right to call on the international community to do for us what our government cannot do for us. If we are being killed, it is the responsibility of the government to do something about it.
“We should ask the government to do what it has to do at all levels. We should ask our leaders to do what they have to do at all levels, in all walks of life,” he said.
Continuing, Obasanjo stated that the world is advanced enough for anyone to hide and go scot-free after committing a crime.
“In these days of technology, there should be nobody hiding anywhere after he has committed a crime that cannot be seen with the present-day satellite,” he added.
Recalling his time as Nigeria’s President, Obasanjo said the opportunity of drones now has made it easy for anyone to be picked up anywhere, unlike his time.
He further added by questioning the rationale behind the government negotiating and paying criminals.
“Before I left government, I knew we had the capacity to pick up anybody in Nigeria. The capacity we didn’t have then was that, after we had identified and located such a criminal, we didn’t have the capacity to pick him up without moving on land or by air. Now we have the capacity with drones. You can take them out. Why are we not doing that?
“Why are we negotiating? And after government has paid these criminals, government denies!
“We should appeal to our government to do what needs to be done to stop Nigerians being killed.
“We are tired of being killed, and we want the killing of Nigerians, whether they are Christians or Muslims or pagans, they are Nigerians, and the life of every Nigerian matters. It should stop,” he stressed.
Benue Police Command Marks 70 Years Of Women In The Force With A Three‑Day Celebration
Makurdi In a vibrant display of pride and reflection, the Benue State Police Command joined the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on November 26‑28, 2025 to commemorate seven decades of women in policing. The three‑day programme, held at the command’s headquarters, blended solemn remembrance with upbeat activities aimed at honoring the trailblazers who first donned the uniform and inspiring today’s female officers to reach even higher.
The event kicked off with a lecture titled “Women Who Paved the Way” for female officers. The session highlighted the historic milestones since the first women were recruited in the 1950s, when they were initially confined to administrative duties but soon proved their mettle in handling domestic‑violence cases, child‑protection investigations and community‑policing initiatives These pioneering women demonstrated that gender is no barrier to excellence,” said DSP Udeme Edet, the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO).
Officers and civilians took to the streets of Makurdi, marching in solidarity to raise awareness about the scourge of gender‑based violence, a delegation led by the Benue State Women Police paid tribute to retired women officers, acknowledging their continued contribution to community safety- at Mama Abayol Orphanage Outreach* the command’s team spent an afternoon at the orphanage, distributing gifts and sharing motivational talks with the children.
The festivities concluded with a ceremonial parade and a vote of thanks to the NPF leadership for its support of gender‑inclusive policies. DSP Edet emphasized that the milestone is “not just a celebration of the past but a call to action for the future,” urging the force to continue implementing programs that boost recruitment, retention and leadership development for women .
Women now serve in a wide array of roles across the NPF, from beat officers and investigators to SWAT team members and senior command positions. Recent studies note that gender‑sensitivity training and mentorship programs have helped to improve the representation of women in decision‑making ranks, though challenges such as cultural bias and limited career‑advancement opportunities persist ¹. The Benue command’s events aimed to address these issues by showcasing success stories and fostering a supportive network for female officers.
The Benue State Police Command pledged to keep strengthening partnerships with humanitarian agencies and community groups, reinforcing the NPF’s broader strategy of community‑oriented policing. “When women thrive in the force, the whole society benefits,” DSP Edet added.
The three‑day celebration wrapped up peacefully, leaving participants with a renewed sense of purpose and a clear reminder that the journey toward full gender equality in Nigeria’s police force is still ongoing.
