In a strong show of regional determination, Northern governors and traditional rulers on Monday announced sweeping measures aimed at confronting the deepening insecurity plaguing the region, declaring that the North is now fully committed to taking direct responsibility for its safety and stability.
Rising from a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council in Kaduna, the leaders endorsed the establishment of state police, backed a six-month suspension of mining activities, and agreed to create a regional Security Trust Fund to mobilise sustained financing for security operations.
The meeting, held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House with all 19 Northern governors and traditional rulers in attendance, signaled one of the most unified security positions adopted by Northern leaders in recent years.
Forum chairman and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, said the decisions reflect the North’s renewed resolve to confront insecurity rather than rely solely on the Federal Government.
“We face the grim reality of insecurity and poverty that seeks to undermine our very existence,” Yahaya said, emphasising that leaders will be judged by whether they leave behind “a Northern Nigeria future generations can call home.”
Reiterating what he described as the region’s unwavering commitment to policing reform, Yahaya said:“State policing remains a critical and effective mechanism to address the security challenges confronting our communities.”
The forum urged Northern lawmakers at the National Assembly to expedite the constitutional processes to finally bring state police into existence.
In a significant shift, Northern leaders acknowledged that illegal mining has become a key driver of banditry, kidnapping, and violent crimes.
The communiqué recommended that President Bola Tinubu direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to suspend all mining exploration for six months. The moratorium will allow for a full audit and revalidation of licences in collaboration with state governments.
Under the new Security Trust Fund framework, each Northern state and its local governments will contribute ₦1 billion monthly, deducted at source.
“We resolved to mobilise immediate, structured resources to support security agencies and regional intervention efforts,” the communiqué stated.
Recognising their influence in communities, Northern leaders asked traditional rulers to deepen grassroots conflict resolution and stabilisation efforts.
Religious leaders were advised to preach tolerance and avoid rhetoric capable of inflaming tensions.
The communiqué stressed that insecurity in the North is intertwined with poverty, illiteracy, climate pressures, poor resource management, and the crisis of millions of out-of-school and almajiri children—problems that require a coordinated regional response.
“These issues transcend borders and demand unified action,” the forum said.
The governors extended sympathy to victims of recent attacks in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kano, Borno, and Yobe, while commending federal forces for recent rescue and counter-terrorism efforts.
Yahaya praised President Tinubu’s commitment and the sacrifices of security personnel battling criminal networks across the North.
The forum pledged continuous collaboration with the Federal Government, vowing that the region will no longer allow criminality to define its future.
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