In a decisive move to confront the escalating security crisis, governors and traditional rulers from Nigeria's 19 Northern states have announced a sweeping six-month suspension of all mining activities and reaffirmed their strong support for the establishment of state police.
Emergency Summit Yields Tough Measures
The historic decisions were reached during an emergency joint meeting held at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna on December 1, 2025. The leaders declared that only coordinated and firm action could salvage the region's stability amid a surge in killings, abductions, and illicit mining operations.
A central resolution was the immediate suspension of all mining activities across the North for a period of six months. The forum argued that illegal mining sites have become major hubs for funding and logistics for armed criminal groups. They urgently called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to halt all exploration and subject existing mining licences to a revalidation process done in consultation with state governors.
N1 Billion Monthly Security Fund Established
To finance a robust regional security response, the leaders approved the creation of a Northern Regional Security Trust Fund. Under this framework, each of the 19 states and their local government councils will contribute N1 billion monthly, deducted at source. The funds are earmarked for coordinated security interventions, with the operational details to be finalized soon.
Reiterating a long-standing demand, the governors and royal fathers declared full backing for state police. They urged federal and state legislators from the region to expedite the necessary constitutional amendments to enable the creation of state-level policing structures.
The communiqué expressed support for President Tinubu's anti-terrorism efforts, praised the military's sacrifices, and pledged total support for operations to dismantle insurgent enclaves. The forum also extended condolences to the states of Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kano, Borno, and Yobe over recent attacks.
ACF Clarifies Stance, Rejects Amnesty for Bandits
In a related development, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) forcefully rejected claims that it supports granting amnesty or financial incentives to bandits. The ACF's National Publicity Secretary, Prof Tukur Muhammad-Baba, issued a statement clarifying that a social media video suggesting such support had misrepresented the comments of its Board of Trustees Chairman, Bashir Dalhatu.
Muhammad-Baba explained that Dalhatu's reference to the Niger Delta amnesty programme was taken out of context and was only meant to highlight that governments could explore various kinetic and non-kinetic approaches. The ACF stressed it has never called for amnesty for terrorists or bandits and remains fully supportive of security agencies' efforts to eradicate them.
Ribadu Assures Parents, Highlights International Support
Meanwhile, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, visited Kotangora, Niger State, to meet with parents of abducted pupils from St Mary’s Private Catholic School, Papiri. He delivered a personal assurance from President Tinubu, who he said was deeply concerned and had directed that all efforts be focused on the children's safe return.
"The whole world stands with us," Ribadu stated, noting that countries including the United States, France, and the United Kingdom are providing technical assistance to Nigeria in its fight against terrorism. He promised the distraught parents that their children would be rescued and reunited with them.
Security Expert Warns Against Civilian Gun Ownership
Amid growing public frustration, retired military officer and security analyst Siyaka Nasiru has warned that calls for civilians to bear arms for self-defence are dangerous and would worsen insecurity. Speaking on an Adamimogo FM programme in Ibadan, Nasiru described such proposals as "an invitation to chaos."
He argued that firearms are expensive and would create a dangerous imbalance, and that retrieving weapons after a crisis would be nearly impossible. Instead, he urged improved intelligence-led operations, better inter-agency coordination, and stronger collaboration with communities.
The Northern leaders' forum concluded by emphasizing that unity, peer review, and collective determination are essential to overcome the region's challenges. They scheduled a follow-up meeting to review the implementation of these critical resolutions.
