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From Abel Leonard, Lafia
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State , yesterday, briefed the state Executive Council on new security measures, including a coordinated security operation in Nasarawa Local Government, the suspension of mining licences across the North, and a ₦19 billion monthly regional security fund approved by Northern governors.
The governor said security agencies, traditional rulers and stakeholders have continued to support government efforts, noting that fresh strategies were being deployed to address the rising wave of criminal activities.
He disclosed that a combined team of security operatives had begun what he described as a “clearing operation” in parts of Nasarawa LG affected by kidnappings and related crimes.
“There is a combined forces arrangement in Nasarawa LG for a clearing operation. We have been having a lot of kidnappings in some of those villages, and security personnel will be on ground from today,” Sule said
The governor also updated the council on resolutions reached at last week’s Northern Governors’ Forum meeting in Kaduna, where far-reaching decisions were adopted to contain insecurity in the region.
He explained that the governors agreed to suspend all mining licences, subject to presidential approval, to allow verification and sanitisation of the sector.“Some people think suspending mining means we will lose revenue, especially because Nasarawa’s recent revenue increase came from mining. But we are not suspending mining operations entirely. We are suspending licences so we can verify authentic miners,” he said.
Sule added that illegal mining has driven insecurity across many states.“Illegal miners generate no revenue. More importantly, mining areas have become havens for bandits and kidnappers. That is why this decision is necessary,” he said
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Sule further announced that the 19 Northern governors have approved a N1 billion monthly contribution per state to establish a N19 billion monthly security fund for one year.“We realised we must take this fight on our own to secure our region. Otherwise, we will continue to talk and nothing will change,” he said.
He said the fund would be used to procure high-tech security equipment and to recruit, train and arm youths, who will serve as vigilantes or community security personnel.
He confirmed that Ezekiel Gomos, a former Secretary to the Plateau State Government, was selected as the new Director-General of the Northern Governors’ Forum after a competitive interview process.
He said Gomos, would coordinate the management of the regional security fund and oversee the Forum’s administrative structure.
Sule also disclosed that each Northern state will contribute an additional N100 million this month for the clearing and foundation work of a new Northern Governors’ Secretariat in Kaduna, on land allocated by the Kaduna State Government.
He said the contribution is separate from the N1 billion security fund.“The N100 million per state will go into the foundation of the Secretariat. This is different from the monthly contribution,” he clarifi
Sule said the new measures reflect a stronger, united regional approach to tackling insecurity and streamlining governance across the North.
