The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council (NTRC) held a high-level joint meeting at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna, resulting in a series of sweeping resolutions aimed at tackling the worsening security situation across the 19 northern states.
The meeting, attended by all 19 governors and the chairmen of their traditional councils, stressed the need for stronger collaboration between political and traditional institutions to ensure regional unity, stability, and development.
The forum identified illegal mining as a major driver of insecurity in the region.
To address this, the leaders resolved to recommend that President Bola Tinubu direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to suspend exploration activities for a period of six months.
The purpose of the suspension is to allow for a comprehensive audit of the sector. During this period, mining licenses, the Forum resolved, should be revalidated in consultation with the governors.
The NSGF and NTRC reaffirmed their “wholehearted support” for the establishment of state police.
They urged lawmakers at both the national and state levels to accelerate the necessary legislative process to make it a reality.
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To ensure better funding for regional security operations, the Forum announced plans to establish a Security Trust Fund.
This fund will be financed by monthly contributions of ₦1 billion from each northern state and its local governments, deducted at source under an agreed framework.
The leaders extended condolences to the states recently affected by killings and abductions, specifically mentioning Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa, and Kano. They also commiserated with communities in Borno and Yobe affected by renewed Boko Haram attacks.
The forum commended Tinubu for what they described as decisive interventions in the release of abducted schoolchildren and other security operations.
They also praised military personnel and pledged renewed support for federal efforts “to take the fight to the enclaves of insurgents.
“The forum is scheduled to reconvene at a later, unannounced date. Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia was among those in attendance.
