Northern governors and top traditional rulers have endorsed the establishment of state police and called for a six-month suspension of mining activities across the region as part of sweeping measures to address escalating insecurity.
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, was represented at the high-level security summit by his deputy, Hon. Faruk Lawal Jobe. The meeting, held on Monday at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna, brought together governors, traditional leaders, security experts, and other stakeholders from the 19 northern states.
Hosted by Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, the session was chaired by the Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), Gombe State Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya. Foremost traditional rulers led by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, were also in attendance.
Deliberations centred on terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, community safety, and other threats undermining peace and development in the North. At the end of the meeting, Governor Inuwa Yahaya presented a detailed communiqué capturing the collective resolutions.
Key outcomes of the summit
The Forum reaffirmed its strong support for the creation of state police and urged National and State Assembly members from the region to fast-track the required constitutional amendments.
Illegal mining was identified as a major driver of insecurity. Consequently, the Forum resolved to recommend that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to suspend mining activities for six months to enable a full audit and licence revalidation in collaboration with state governments.
To strengthen regional security operations, the governors approved the establishment of a Northern Security Trust Fund, with each state and local government contributing ₦1 billion monthly—deducted at source under an agreed framework.
The Forum also commended the Federal Government for recent security interventions, including efforts that led to the rescue of abducted children. It paid tribute to security personnel battling violent groups and extended condolences to states affected by recent killings and abductions, particularly Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kano, Borno, and Yobe.
The communiqué emphasised unity, cooperation, and shared responsibility as the only viable path to restoring peace and stability across the region. The leaders agreed to reconvene at a later date to review progress and deepen collaboration.
