Former senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has called on the federal government to focus more on action than speeches in the ongoing war against terrorism and banditry in Nigeria.

Speaking on Channels Television on Wednesday, the former lawmaker said Nigeria needs improved strategy, technology, and proper funding to fight and win the war.

Sani, 57, said the fight against terrorism in Nigeria has lasted over 15 years, yet the country has not been able to completely eliminate the threat.

He said It is a war for the peace, unity, and survival of Nigeria and must not be taken lightly.

?This is not just about Nigeria alone,? he said. ?Countries like Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso are also facing the same challenges. In fact, part of the reason why military coups happened in those countries is because their civilian governments failed to tackle insecurity.?

He noted that despite several conferences and summits on security, nothing concrete has changed. ?We have had enough talk shops. What we need now is action and results,? he said.

The senator said terrorist groups operating in Nigeria?s North East have become more daring over time and are now using advanced technology like drones. He said the government have to invest in modern warfare equipment to match them.

He explained that defeating terrorists is not something that can happen overnight, but said the country must keep supporting the military and ensure that soldiers get the equipment and welfare they need to succeed.

?No terrorist group can overrun Nigeria,? he said. ?But if we don?t destroy them, they will continue to bleed this country.?

On funding, Senator Sani questioned the huge amounts of money allocated to defense in the annual budget without matching results.

?If you look at the defense budget, Nigeria is spending more than almost all the West African countries combined. But we are still not safe. That means the money is either not being used well or someone is profiting from it,? he said.

He said soldiers on the battlefield continue to complain of lack of weapons and welfare despite the billions pumped into the sector. He recalled that a former Chief of Army Staff once raised similar concerns during his time in office.

Sani said funds meant for fighting insecurity should not be used to build hotels, plazas or even universities by military agencies.

?Money for the military should be used for those on the battlefield, not for the wives of army officers,? he said.

He said the National Assembly has a role to play through its oversight functions. However, he also praised the current administration for some of the progress made in curbing attacks, especially in Kaduna, Abuja, and parts of Borno State.

According to him, the Abuja-Kaduna road and train line, which used to be hotspots for kidnapping, are now more secure due to improved security presence.

Sani, however, stressed that accountability must remain a top priority in the war effort.

He also raised concerns about how some retired military officers are allegedly involved in crime, or are helping criminal elements, which he said was a dangerous trend.

?Imagine a retired officer training criminals or sharing insider information. That?s a serious problem,? he said.

Sadly, he said: Many retired soldiers are not being paid their entitlements and that the government must do better to take care of military veterans and families of fallen heroes.

?These soldiers are fathers, uncles and breadwinners. No amount of money is too much to give them,? he said.

Sani concluded by urging the government to be firm and focused in fighting insecurity.

?A country of 230 million people cannot be held hostage by a few thousand terrorists. We have to win this war,? he said.

He urged the government to remove politics and ethnic bias from military operations, saying it often affects the effectiveness of the troops.

?Nigeria has what it takes to defeat terrorism. Our military has restored peace in other African countries, so we should not be losing this battle at home,? he said. (Daily Trust)