The Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council on Monday announced a landmark decision to establish a Regional Security Trust Fund, with each of the 19 northern states committing to a monthly contribution of N1 billion, aimed at confronting escalating insecurity across the region.
The decision formed part of a far-reaching communiqué issued after a joint meeting held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, where governors and traditional rulers deliberated extensively on the worsening security situation, illegal mining activities, and the need for strengthened law-enforcement architecture.
The meeting, attended by all 19 governors and chairmen of the Traditional Councils from the northern states, reaffirmed the region’s commitment to collective action.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Yahaya, who signed the communiqué, described the moment as “a pivotal juncture in our history that demands unity, clarity and firmness.”
According to the communiqué, the Forum expressed deep condolences to the governments and people of states recently hit by violent attacks, including Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano, as well as victims of Boko Haram operations in Borno and Yobe. The governors said the killings, abductions and destruction of livelihoods made the establishment of a regional security funding architecture unavoidable.
“We recognise that only through unity, peer review and cooperation can we overcome the pressing challenges before us,” the Forum stated. “We reaffirm our resolve to confront these challenges in order to fulfil our constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property.”
The governors commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his handling of recent security breaches, particularly efforts leading to the release of some abducted schoolchildren. They also praised the military for what they described as “sacrifices made daily in the battle against various forms of violent insurgencies.”
“In view of the gravity of the situation, the Forum resolved to renew its support for every step taken by the President and Commander-in-Chief to take the fight to the enclaves of insurgents until criminality is brought to an end,” the communiqué added.
In a major policy position, the governors reaffirmed their “wholehearted support” for the establishment of State Police and urged lawmakers at both national and state levels to expedite legislative action to actualise the long-awaited reform. According to them, decentralised policing has become inevitable given the complex and localised nature of insecurity in the region.
The meeting also raised concerns over the surge in illegal mining, which they identified as a key driver of insecurity. The governors called on President Tinubu to direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to suspend all mining exploration activities for an initial six-month period to allow a comprehensive audit and revalidation of mining licences in partnership with state governments.
“Illegal mining has become a major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria,” the communiqué noted. “Suspension and proper audit will help arrest the menace of artisanal mining and block channels through which criminal networks are being financed.”
Central to the outcomes of the meeting is the creation of a Regional Security Trust Fund, to be funded by a monthly deduction of N1 billion from each state, as well as contributions from local governments. The governors said the framework for implementation would be finalised through a consultative mechanism involving all the 19 states.
“The establishment of the Security Trust Fund demonstrates our collective readiness to confront insecurity with coordinated and sustainable financing,” Governor Yahaya said, stressing that timely investment in intelligence, technology and manpower was crucial for the region’s survival.
The Forum resolved to reconvene at a later date to fast-track implementation strategies and review security developments across the region.
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