- He added that despite huge annual budget allocations to defence, communities continue to face deadly attacks
- He noted that when citizens seek external intervention, it is often a sign that internal mechanisms have failed
- The gathering brought together key political figures, security experts, civil society leaders
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, says Nigeria must be open to assistance from powerful nations like the United States and China as the country’s long-running insecurity crisis enters its fifteenth year without any clear breakthrough.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the former lawmaker made the call in Abuja on Friday after hosting a one-day high-level national security summit organised by the Africa Freedom Foundation (AFF) and the Yari Roundtable.
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The gathering brought together key political figures, security experts, civil society leaders and religious stakeholders to review Nigeria’s worsening security situation.
Speaking after the summit, Sani said many Nigerians are now looking outward for help because they have lost confidence in local efforts to secure the nation.
He noted that when citizens seek external intervention, it is often a sign that internal mechanisms have failed.
He also referenced former U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to classify Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” insisting that instead of viewing such international labels as humiliation, the country should treat them as a call to action.
According to him, “people are dying, and labels should not distract us from finding solutions.”
Sani maintained that Nigeria should welcome help from friendly nations but warned that such cooperation must not undermine national sovereignty.
He emphasised that while foreign partners may offer intelligence and technical support, control and coordination must remain with Nigerian authorities.
The former senator stressed that the insecurity ravaging the country is largely internal, involving local criminal networks and extremist groups, particularly in the northern region.
He added that despite huge annual budget allocations to defence, communities continue to face deadly attacks, banditry and displacement.
During the summit, participants expressed concern over governance failures, mismanaged security funds, and the expanding networks of armed groups.
Religious leaders who attended the event also urged government officials to take stronger, more coordinated actions to restore peace.
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