In a bold move aimed at curbing the escalating insecurity across Northern Nigeria, the 19 Northern Governors and the region’s Traditional Rulers’ Council have issued a strong call for decisive action. The leaders convened an emergency joint meeting on Tuesday at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, describing the session as “pivotal” in charting a path toward lasting peace.
The communiqué issued at the end of the meeting outlined a series of far-reaching resolutions targeting banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and the growing menace of illegal mining.
Central among the resolutions is a call for the immediate suspension of all mining activities for six months. The Forum accused illegal mining of fueling insecurity and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to halt all mining exploration. They also called for a revalidation of all mining licenses in active consultation with state governors, stressing that artisanal and illegal mining must be controlled to cut off funding and logistical support to criminal networks.
To bolster security efforts, the leaders announced the creation of a Northern Regional Security Trust Fund, with each of the 19 northern states and their local governments contributing ₦1 billion monthly. The fund, which will be deducted at source, is aimed at providing sustained financial support for security operations, with the framework to be finalized soon.
The communiqué also expressed full support for the creation of state police, urging northern lawmakers to expedite the necessary constitutional amendments. Additionally, the governors and traditional rulers pledged renewed backing for President Tinubu’s anti-terrorism initiatives, praising the recent release of abducted school children and commending the sacrifices of Nigeria’s armed forces.
In a show of solidarity, the leaders extended condolences to the states most affected by recent attacks, including Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kano, Borno, and Yobe, reiterating that unity, peer review, and cooperation are essential to overcoming the North’s security challenges.
The communiqué concluded with a commitment to convene another joint meeting soon to review progress on the resolutions, emphasizing the leaders’ determination to discharge their constitutional responsibilities with “firmness and clarity.”
