Northern governors to raise over N19bn security trust fund to fight insecurity

From Noah Ebije, Kaduna

The 19 Northern States governors have agreed to create a regional Security Trust Fund, with each state and its local governments contributing N1 billion every month, deducted at source, to finance coordinated security operations across the region.

The fund will be pooled under a framework still to be finalised.

In a Communique issued after the meeting, chairman of the Forum, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State said: “We are putting our money where our mouth is. The money is earmarked for everything from intelligence‑sharing to rapid‑response units, aiming to turn the tide against banditry, kidnappings and the resurgence of Boko Haram.”

Governor Yahaya said the trust fund will be a game‑changer and the leaders were committed to a transparent, peer‑reviewed mechanism to ensure the money is used effectively.

Traditional rulers pledged to use their moral authority to help curb the politicisation of insecurity and support community‑level peace initiatives.

With the monthly N1 billion contributions set to begin as soon as the operational framework is agreed, northern leaders are hoping the new fund will translate the region’s collective resolve into tangible security gains. As one governor put it, “our people want results not just another meeting.”

They praised President Bola  Tinubu’s efforts to secure the release of kidnapped children and reaffirmed support for his push to take the fight to insurgent enclaves.

The northern leaders urged the National Assembly to fasttrack the constitutional amendment needed for the creation of state police.

They also called on the minister of solid minerals to suspend new mining licences for six months and revalidate existing ones in consultation with governors order to guard against illegal mining.