Northern governors and traditional rulers call for urgent measures to curb violence, killings, and abductions in the region.
Amid rising insecurity in Northern Nigeria, northern governors and traditional rulers have recommended a six-month suspension of mining activities across the region, citing illegal mining as a major factor driving criminality.
The proposal was issued in a communiqué following a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, on Monday.
The meeting, chaired by Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, brought together all 19 northern governors and the chairmen of the region’s traditional councils.
Leaders raised concerns over the rising wave of violence, including killings and abductions in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa, and Kano, alongside renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe.
“The Forum extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the governments and people of the affected states,” the communiqué said, describing attacks on schoolchildren and citizens as “unacceptable tragedies” demanding urgent action.
The leaders also praised President Bola Tinubu for the Federal Government’s firm response to recent abductions, particularly the rescue of some pupils, and commended security agencies for their frontline efforts.
“We resolved to renew our support for every step taken by the President and Commander-in-Chief to take the fight to insurgents’ enclaves to end criminality,” the Forum said.
A key highlight was the region’s renewed call for state police, with governors and traditional rulers insisting that decentralized policing has become essential.
“The Forum reaffirms its wholehearted support and commitment to the establishment of state police,” the communiqué added, urging federal and state lawmakers from the North to “expedite action for its actualisation.”
Additionally, the leaders announced the creation of a regional Security Trust Fund, with each state contributing N1 billion monthly, to strengthen security efforts across the North.