The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has unveiled a regional security trust fund through which the 19 northern states and their local governments will jointly contribute N1 billion every month.
The forum said the contribution, which will be deducted at source, is intended to tackle the escalating challenges of banditry, terrorism and kidnapping plaguing the region.
This development was detailed in a communiqué released after a critical joint meeting between the governors and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council (NTRC) held in Kaduna on Monday.
The communiqué, signed by Inuwa Yahaya, the NSGF chairman and governor of Gombe, explained that the fund is crucial “in order to effectively confront the security crises in the north.”
The statement added: “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 contributions of one billion naira from each state and local government to be deducted at source under a framework to be agreed upon.”
The governors urged President Bola Tinubu to instruct Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, to immediately halt all mining operations in the northern region for six months to allow for a comprehensive audit and verification of licences.
They identified illegal mining as “a major contributory factor” to the region’s security challenges, alleging that artisanal miners and their backers play significant roles in financing banditry and terrorism.
The forum also praised Tinubu “for leaving no stone unturned” in facilitating the release of abducted schoolchildren, and commended the efforts of security personnel combating insurgency nationwide.
Additionally, the governors reiterated their “wholehearted support” for establishing state police and encouraged federal and state lawmakers from the region to accelerate the necessary constitutional reforms.
They noted: “Accordingly, the forum encourages National and States Assembly Members in the region to expedite action for its actualisation.”
Highlighting their concerns, the governors further stated that illegal mining has become a major driver of insecurity in northern Nigeria, recommending that the President direct the minister of solid minerals to halt mining activities for six months to enable proper auditing.
They also urged that all mining licences undergo revalidation within the six-month window in consultation with state governors, to curb the growing threat posed by illegal artisanal mining.