Arewa Groups hail northern governors’ Security Trust Fund,

From Noah Ebije, Kaduna

The Arewa Think Tank (ATT) and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), have commended the 19 Northern State Governors for establishing the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund, describing the initiative as a landmark step towards tackling insecurity and restoring peace across the region.

In separate statements on Friday, the two influential northern organisations said the Trust Fund demonstrates visionary leadership, collective responsibility and a practical commitment to confronting terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes that have plagued Northern Nigeria for years.

The Convener of the Arewa Think Tank, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, described the inauguration of the Trust Fund as one of the most strategic decisions taken by the Northern States Governors’ Forum in recent years, saying it has rekindled hope among millions of residents affected by persistent insecurity.

According to him, the worsening security situation in the region demands unity of purpose, strategic coordination and sustained commitment from all stakeholders, adding that the governors have moved beyond rhetoric by creating an institutional framework capable of complementing the efforts of the Federal Government and security agencies.

He noted that years of attacks on communities, displacement of citizens, destruction of livelihoods and disruption of economic activities have made a coordinated regional response imperative.

Similarly, the Arewa Consultative Forum, in a statement signed by the Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Bashir M. Dalhatu, described the Security Trust Fund as one of the most significant regional initiatives in recent years.

The ACF said the initiative reflects a clear appreciation by the governors that the security crisis confronting Northern Nigeria requires collective action, innovative thinking and sustained commitment to complement the efforts of the Federal Government and the nation’s security agencies.

Both organisations expressed confidence that, if professionally managed and adequately funded, the Trust Fund would strengthen intelligence gathering, surveillance, logistics, communications, technological innovation, community-based security initiatives and victim support programmes, thereby enhancing ongoing security operations across the region.