Northern governors and traditional rulers meet in Kaduna and approve a major regional security plan, including a new Security Trust Fund supported by N1 billion monthly contributions from each state and local governments.
According to Mediaplusng.com, the joint session of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council takes place on December 1 at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna. The 19 Northern Governors and the Chairmen of the 19 Traditional Councils attend the meeting and agree on key measures to confront the region’s worsening insecurity.
In the communiqué issued after the meeting, the Forum expresses condolences to communities in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano, as well as victims of Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe. Mediaplusng.com reports that the Forum praises President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ongoing rescue efforts and for supporting security agencies battling insurgency across the North.
The governors also reaffirm their full support for the creation of state police and urge federal and state lawmakers from the region to speed up its approval. They note that illegal mining continues to fuel insecurity and recommend a six-month suspension of mining activities, a full audit, and revalidation of all mining licences.
A major resolution of the meeting is the establishment of a Regional Security Trust Fund, with each state committing monthly contributions of N1bn, deducted at source. The Fund will support joint security operations and strengthen coordinated responses to insurgency, banditry and kidnapping.
The meeting ends with a commitment to reconvene soon to review progress and deepen regional cooperation.
