The 19 Northern Governors have announced the immediate creation of a multibillion-naira Regional Security Trust Fund, with each state and its local governments mandated to contribute ₦1 billion monthly, deducted at source, to tackle the region’s escalating insecurity.
The decision was contained in a communiqué issued Tuesday after a high-level joint security meeting with the Northern Traditional Rulers Council in Kaduna, signed by Forum Chairman and Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
The governors also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to suspend all mining exploration for six months, declaring: “All mining licences should be subjected to revalidation for six months in consultation with various state governors to curb the activities of illegal miners.”
Reaffirming their push for decentralised policing, the Forum stated it has “unwavering support and commitment to the establishment of State Police” and urged northern lawmakers to fast-track its creation.
The leaders extended condolences to Niger, Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kano, Borno and Yobe states over recent killings, abductions of schoolchildren and renewed Boko Haram attacks.
They commended President Tinubu and security agencies for ongoing rescue efforts and vowed: “We also appreciated the region’s traditional institutions for their steadfast commitment to the unity, security, stability, and development of the region. At the moment, unity, peer review, and cooperation are highly needed to collectively overcome the pressing challenges confronting the region.”
The governors pledged to “fulfil their constitutional responsibility by addressing the challenges bedevilling the region firmly and with clarity.”