Concerned by the escalating insecurity across the country, northern governors and traditional rulers have proposed a six-month suspension of mining activities within the region.
This proposal was revealed in a communiqué issued following a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, which took place at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna. The leaders attributed the region’s security challenges to illegal mining.
Chaired by the Governor of Gombe State and Chairman of the NSGF, Muhammadu Yahaya, the meeting was attended by the 19 governors from northern states as well as the leaders of their respective traditional councils.
The leaders expressed their apprehensions regarding the rising violence in various northern states, highlighting recent killings and abductions in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa, and Kano, alongside renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe.
“The Forum extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the governments and citizens of the affected states,” the communiqué stated.
The leaders described the assaults on schoolchildren and other innocents as “unacceptable tragedies” that necessitate urgent collective action.
They commended President Bola Tinubu for what they termed the Federal Government’s “firm response” to recent abductions and threats from insurgents, particularly the rescue of some kidnapped pupils.
The leaders also praised security agencies for their sacrifices on the frontlines.
“We resolved to renew our support for every action taken by the President and Commander-in-Chief to confront insurgents in their strongholds to eradicate criminality,” the Forum asserted.
A significant outcome of the meeting was the North’s renewed call for the establishment of state police, with governors and traditional rulers insisting that decentralised policing has become essential.
“The Forum reaffirms its full support and commitment to the establishment of state police,” the communiqué continued, urging federal and state lawmakers from the region to “accelerate efforts towards its realisation.”
**See the communiqué below:**
**‘Northern Governors Launch Landmark Regional Security Trust Fund with Monthly Contributions of £1 Million per State’**
**COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AFTER THE JOINT MEETING OF THE NORTHERN STATES GOVERNORS’ FORUM AND THE NORTHERN TRADITIONAL RULERS’ COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY, 1ST DECEMBER 2025 AT THE KASHIM IBRAHIM HOUSE, KADUNA**
The Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council convened a joint meeting today, Monday, 1st December 2025, at the Council Chamber, Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.
The meeting was attended by Their Excellencies, the Governors of the 19 Northern States, and Their Royal Highnesses, the Chairmen of the 19 Northern States Traditional Rulers’ Councils. After extensive deliberations on critical issues affecting both the region and the nation, the Forum presents the following communiqué:
The Forum commends all members and our Royal Fathers for their unwavering commitment to the unity, security, stability, and development of the region. At this crucial moment in our history, we recognise that only through unity, peer review, and cooperation can we overcome the pressing challenges ahead. Accordingly, we reaffirm our resolve to tackle these challenges with determination and clarity to fulfil our constitutional responsibilities.
The Forum extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the governments and citizens of Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa, and Kano States following the recent killings and abductions of schoolchildren and other innocent individuals, as well as to the victims of Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe States.
The Forum commends the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for its thorough efforts in ensuring the swift release of some of the abducted children and addressing other security challenges. We equally recognise the sacrifices of our servicemen in uniform who continue to combat various forms of violent insurgency across the country.
Consequently, the Forum resolved to renew its support for every initiative taken by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to confront insurgents in their strongholds to put an end to criminality.
The Forum reaffirms its full support and commitment to the establishment of State Police. Accordingly, the Forum urges National and State Assembly Members in the region to expedite action towards its realisation.
The Forum noted that illegal mining has become a significant contributing factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria; therefore, it strongly recommends that the President direct the Hon. Minister of Solid Minerals to suspend mining exploration for a period of six months to allow for a thorough audit. All mining licences should be subject to revalidation for six months, in active consultation with the various State Governors, to address the issues of artisanal illegal mining.
To effectively confront the security crises in the North, the Forum resolved to establish a regional Security Trust Fund, to be financed with monthly contributions of One Billion Naira from each state and local government, to be deducted at source under a framework to be agreed upon.
The Forum resolved to reconvene on a date to be communicated.
