Northern Governors, leaders back state police, states to donate N1bn monthly to security trust

Northern Governors, leaders back state police, states to donate N1bn monthly to security trust

…to suspend mining activities for six months in the region

Northern States Governors and Traditional Rulers have resolved to set-up a regional Security Trust Fund which would be funded with a Billion Naira monthly from each state in the region while also blaming security challenges in the region on illegal mining activities.

This was disclosed in a meeting held on December 1 at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, by the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, Chaired by the Governor of Gombe State and NSGF Chairman, Muhammadu Yahaya.

The meeting which had in attendance the 19 northern Governors and Chairmen of the 19 states’ traditional councils saw a resolution to suspend mining activities across the region for six months.

Worried by the rising spate of insecurity across the country, especially in the north, the leaders decried the recent killings and abductions in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano states, as well as renewed Boko Haram attacks in Yobe and Borno states.

The Forum extended condolences and solidarity to the governments and people of the affected states, adding that the attacks on schoolchildren and other citizens had become unacceptable.

They further saluted President Bola Tinubu and security agencies for their efforts in combating recent abductions and insurgency threats, adding that the Forum supports the establishment of state police, while urging federal and state lawmakers to expedite action towards its realization.

Below is the communique:

“‘Northern Governors Launch Landmark Regional Security Trust Fund with N1bn Monthly Contributions Per State’

COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AFTER THE JOINT MEETING OF THE NORTHERN STATES GOVERNORS’ FORUM AND THE NORTHERN TRADITIONAL RULERS’ COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY, 1ST DECEMBER, 2025 AT THE KASHIM IBRAHIM HOUSE, KADUNA

The Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council convened a joint meeting today, Monday, 1st December, 2025 at the Council Chamber, Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna

The meeting was attended by Their Excellencies, the Governors of the 19 Northern States and Their Royal Highnesses, The Chairmen of the 19 Northern States Traditional Rulers’ Councils. After exhaustive deliberations on critical issues of common interest impacting both the region and the nation, the Forum hereby presents the following communiqué:

1. The Forum commends all members and our Royal Fathers for their steadfast commitment to the unity, security, stability and development of the region. At this pivotal juncture in our history, we recognise that only through unity, peer review and cooperation can we overcome the pressing challenges before us. Accordingly, we reaffirm our resolve to confront these challenges with firmness and clarity in order to fulfill our constitutional responsibility.
2. The Forum extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the Governments and good people of Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano States following the recent killings and abductions of school children and other innocent citizens, as well as to the victims of the Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe States.
3. The Forum commends the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the prompt release of some of the abducted children and in handling other security challenges. We equally commend the sacrifices of our servicemen in uniform who continue to battle various forms of violent insurgencies across the country. Consequently, the Forum resolved to renew its support for every step to be taken by the President and Commander- In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria in taking the fight against insurgents to their enclave in order to bring an end to the criminality.
4. The Forum reaffirms its wholehearted support and commitment to the establishment of State Police. Accordingly, the Forum encourages National and States Assembly Members in the region to expedite action for its actualisation.
5. The Forum observed that illegal mining has become a major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria, the Forum therefore resolved to strongly recommend to the President to direct the Hon. Minister of Solid Minerals to suspend mining exploration for a period of 6 (six) months to allow proper audit. Subject all mining Licences to revalidation for a period of six months in active consultation with the various State Governors and in the process arrest the menace of artisanal illegal mining.
6. In order to effectively confront the security crises in the North, the Forum resolved to set-up a regional Security Trust Fund to be funded with monthly contribution of One Billion Naira from each state and local governments to be deducted at source under a framework to be agreed upon.
7. Forum resolved to reconvene on a date to be communicated.

Signed:

Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON

Governor of Gombe State/ Chairman of Northern States Governors’ Forum”