In a decisive move to tackle the persistent insecurity plaguing Northern Nigeria, the region's governors and traditional rulers have agreed to establish a massive joint security fund. The decision was reached during a crucial high-level meeting held in Kaduna on Monday, December 1, 2025.
A Unified Financial Front Against Insecurity
The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), in conjunction with the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, announced the creation of a regional Security Trust Fund. Under this new framework, each of the 19 northern states and their local governments will contribute one billion naira monthly. This collective effort will see a total of N16 billion injected into security initiatives across the region every month.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, who chairs the forum, signed the communiqué detailing the resolution. The funds are slated to be deducted at source and strategically deployed to confront the multifaceted security crises, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and rural violence that have devastated communities.
Call for Mining Suspension and Backing for State Police
The forum identified illegal mining as a significant catalyst for the violence. In a direct appeal to the federal government, the governors urged President Bola Tinubu to instruct the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, to suspend all mining activities in the region for six months. They argued that the illicit mining economy funds criminal enterprises, accusing artisanal miners and their sponsors of bankrolling banditry and terrorism.
Furthermore, the northern leaders unanimously reaffirmed their total support for the establishment of state police. They called on lawmakers from the region to fast-track the necessary constitutional amendments to actualize this long-debated security reform, viewing it as critical for localized response and intelligence.
Meeting Context and Recent Security Incidents
The Kaduna meeting, attended by governors including Uba Sani (Kaduna), Umar Bago (Niger), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), aimed to harmonize security strategies and improve intelligence sharing. The announcement comes against a grim backdrop of recent attacks.
Just days before the meeting, on Saturday, November 29, armed bandits abducted a bride, her bridesmaids, and several guests during a wedding celebration in Chacho village, Sokoto State. In a separate incident in Kano State, bandits attacked Yankamaye village, killing an elderly woman and kidnapping residents.
The forum commended President Tinubu's efforts in securing the release of abducted schoolchildren and praised the sacrifices of security personnel. The establishment of the N16bn monthly fund represents one of the most significant collective financial commitments by the northern states to date, signaling a regional determination to reclaim peace and stability.
