The 19 northern state governors on Wednesday renewed their backing for the creation of state police, describing it as one of the key measures needed to address the rising insecurity affecting the region.
The governors also pledged to maintain their monthly contribution of N1bn to the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund, saying the fund would help improve security operations and support efforts to restore stability across the North.
The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of the Northern Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.
The meeting, presided over by the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, focused on assessing the security situation in the region and developing a collective strategy against banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
During the meeting, the governors inaugurated the Board of Trustees of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund and appointed former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Martin Luther Agwai (retd.), and former Minister of Defence and ex-Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, as co-chairmen.
The board consists of retired military officers, former security chiefs and senior public officials representing the 19 northern states.
Members of the board include former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya (retd.), representing Sokoto State; former Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Inuwa, from Jigawa State; and retired Air Vice Marshal Kabiru Aliyu, a former Director at the Defence Headquarters, representing Taraba State.
Other members are Borno State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Prof Usman Tar; Senator Napoleon Bali, a retired Air Vice Marshal representing Plateau State; and retired Maj Gen A. M. Dikko, former National Coordinator of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, representing Niger State.
The board also includes retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Sunday Babaji from Gombe State; retired Air Vice Marshal Farouk Omeiza Umar, former Chief of Policy and Plans at the Defence Headquarters, representing Kogi State; and retired Maj Gen Muhammad Sani, former Chief of Army Standards and Evaluation, from Kano State.
Also appointed are former Zamfara State Head of Service, Muhammad Mujtaba Isa; retired Chief Superintendent of Customs, Alhaji Adamu Tanko Umar, from Nasarawa State; former Kaduna State Head of Service, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha; and retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Sani Usman Mohammed, representing Bauchi State.
Others include retired Maj Gen Bello Sarkin Yaki, former Coordinator of the Counter Terrorism Centre in the Office of the National Security Adviser, representing Kebbi State; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, from Adamawa State; Katsina State nominee, Alhaji Falalu Bawale; retired Brig Gen Ibrahim Bolakala Agbab, former Chief of Staff, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, representing Kwara State; retired Maj Gen John Malu, former Chief of Defence Standards and Evaluation, representing Benue State; and former Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, representing Yobe State.
The Board of Trustees is expected to oversee the activities of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund, which was created to mobilise funding, strengthen intelligence cooperation and support joint responses to insecurity, including banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and cattle rustling.
In the communiqué signed by Yahaya, the governors praised President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly for advancing constitutional steps towards establishing state police.
It stated, “The forum acknowledges the progress made towards the establishment of state police and commends the President and the National Assembly for their courage and effective leadership in initiating the constitutional processes required.
“The forum reaffirms its position that, with adequate training, equipment, and support, the state police will play a pivotal role in tackling the myriad security challenges confronting the nation.”
The governors said the security challenges facing northern Nigeria required immediate, coordinated and firm action involving governments at all levels, traditional institutions and local communities.
According to the communiqué, “The forum stresses that northern Nigeria’s security crisis demands urgent, coordinated, and decisive action to rescue the region from collapse.”
The forum also expressed confidence in the newly inaugurated trust fund board, urging members to carry out their responsibilities with fairness, independence and commitment.
It said, “The forum expresses confidence in the newly inaugurated Board of Trustees of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund, comprising distinguished individuals whose experience, integrity, and patriotism equip them for this urgent task. It urges the trustees to discharge their duties with diligence, independence, fairness, and responsibility.”
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The governors commended member states for keeping to their pledge of contributing N1bn monthly to the fund and encouraged all states to continue honouring their commitments.
“The forum commends member states for redeeming their commitments to contribute N1bn monthly to the Security Trust Fund. This commitment reflects leadership and shared responsibility.
The forum urges all states to honour pledges promptly and consistently, and calls on traditional rulers, civil society, the media, and citizens to support the Board of Trustees in fulfilling its vital mandate,” the communiqué added.
Beyond security operations, the governors identified poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and the rising number of out-of-school children as major drivers of insecurity in the region.
They resolved to strengthen investments in education, agriculture, youth empowerment, skills development and livelihood programmes alongside security interventions.
“The forum resolves to intensify efforts against the root causes of insecurity, recognising that poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, and out-of-school children fuel instability.
“While security operations are essential, they must be reinforced by sustained investment in education, livelihoods, agriculture, youth empowerment, and skills development,” the communiqué stated.
As farming activities continue, the governors urged security agencies to provide adequate protection for farmers to enable them to access their farmlands without fear.
They also pledged to collaborate with traditional rulers, local government authorities and community leaders to prevent communal disputes and support livestock transformation initiatives aimed at improving agricultural productivity.
The forum further agreed to adopt a regional approach to challenges in education, healthcare and agriculture by creating a shared framework through which northern states can combine resources, exchange expertise and implement joint development programmes.
The governors appreciated members of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council for their efforts in promoting peace and unity, while also commending President Tinubu for his commitment to addressing insecurity.
“The forum reaffirms its support for federal security efforts, pledges to strengthen intelligence sharing and community resilience, and commits to building a lasting framework for regional security and prosperity,” the communiqué added.
The meeting was attended by governors from the 19 northern states, traditional rulers, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, and senior security officials, who reviewed security concerns and discussed measures to restore peace and accelerate development.
The forum resolved to reconvene at a later date.