GOVERNORS of the 19 northern states, alongside top traditional rulers, have launched a historic regional Security Trust Fund aimed at confronting the surging wave of insecurity across the region. The decision was reached on Monday during a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna.
News Point Nigeria reports that the high-level meeting, attended by all 19 governors and the chairmen of the traditional councils from each northern state, culminated in far-reaching resolutions targeted at restoring peace, curbing criminality, and strengthening regional cooperation.
In a communiqué signed by the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya (CON), the leaders reaffirmed their collective resolve to protect the region’s stability, describing unity and collaboration as crucial to defeating insecurity.
The Forum extended condolences to the governments and people of several states recently hit by violent attacks, including Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa, and Kano, where schoolchildren and other citizens have been killed or abducted. It also sympathized with victims of Boko Haram assaults in Borno and Yobe states.
The governors applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what they described as “leaving no stone unturned” in securing the release of abducted children and confronting nationwide security challenges. They also praised the sacrifices of military personnel battling insurgents across the country.
The Forum pledged its full support for intensified military action to eliminate terrorist enclaves and restore lasting peace.
In a major policy shift, the governors reaffirmed their unwavering support for the establishment of State Police and urged lawmakers from the region at both national and state levels to accelerate constitutional amendments necessary for its actualisation.
Expressing concern over the link between illegal mining and the growing insecurity in the North, the Forum urged President Tinubu to direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to impose a six-month suspension on mining activities.
The pause, according to the communiqué, would allow for a comprehensive audit and revalidation of mining licences in collaboration with state governments.
In its most consequential resolution, the Forum approved the creation of a Regional Security Trust Fund, financed through monthly deductions of N1 billion from each state and their local governments. The deductions will be made at source under a framework still being finalised.
The Fund is expected to strengthen regional security architecture, improve intelligence gathering, and support joint operations across northern states.
The Forum concluded by resolving to reconvene at a later date to continue deliberations on the region’s security and development priorities.
