In a drastic move to curb rising banditry and terrorism, the 19 Northern governors and traditional rulers have ordered an immediate six-month suspension of all mining activities across the region, declaring illegal mining a prime funding source for criminal gangs.
The decision was contained in a communiqué issued Tuesday after a crucial joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council (NTRC) held in Kaduna, chaired by Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya.
“The Forum observed that illegal mining has become a major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria,” the communiqué stated. “We strongly recommend a suspension of mining exploration for six months to allow proper audit and to arrest the menace of artisanal illegal mining.”
The leaders also reaffirmed full backing for President Bola Tinubu’s anti-terrorism efforts, saying, “We resolved to renew our support for every step taken by the President and Commander-in-Chief to take the fight to insurgents’ enclaves in order to end the criminality.”
While praising recent rescues of abducted schoolchildren, they described ongoing attacks in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kano, Borno and Yobe as “unacceptable tragedies”.
In another major resolution, the Forum declared “wholehearted support and commitment to the establishment of state police”, urging northern lawmakers to fast-track the process.
To boost regional security, the meeting announced the creation of a Northern Security Trust Fund with each of the 19 states and their local governments contributing ₦1 billion monthly, deducted at source.
The communiqué ended with a plea for unity: “Only through unity, peer review and cooperation can we overcome the pressing challenges before us.”