INSECURITY: We all have a role to play- Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, said pressure has been mounting on him to proffer solutions to the security challenges facing the country, urging Nigerians to unite and combat the menace.

He said Nigerians have a role to play if security will be a thing of the past.

Obasanjo, who spoke during a surprise visit to the Ayangbunren of Ikorodu, Oba Adewale Sotobi, lamented the death of Political Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan Ahmed Gulak, who was shot dead in Imo state, Sunday.

Obasanjo also disclosed how the wife of one of his managers was kidnapped about three weeks ago.

He said, “Insecurity is a major problem in Nigeria.

“Insecurity is a major problem because it does not help us domestically or grow our investment. We cannot make progress under insecurity because it will limit the rate of investment.

“Before i go on, let me talk about Nigeria. Before i wrote the open letters, i had written some hidden letters which did not yield results and that was why i decided to write open letters.

“There is a number of problems we have in Nigeria today and one of them is insecurity.

“The government of this country has tried its best and that is the best it can do as regards the security challenges. Unfortunately, we are all at the receiving end and many people have been asking me on what to do.

“What can we do? I think all of you who are the timber and calibers of the nation should arrange on what to do.

“We shouldn’t fold our arms and continue to complain. We should try and help as much as we can. Let me say this, I am an incurable optimist of the nation. Among ourselves, we should learn how to talk to ourselves in a civilized manner. Let us respect ourselves and speak positively about the country”.

In his response, Oba Sotobi assured the former President that Ikorodu indigenes will contribute their quota towards ensuring security in the area.