Northern governors and traditional rulers have reaffirmed support for state police following a joint meeting on Wednesday at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna. The meeting, chaired by Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, Chairman of the Northern Nigeria Governors' Forum, focused on addressing the region's worsening security situation through regional collaboration. Attendees reviewed consultations with security stakeholders and agreed on practical measures to combat rising threats.
The forum praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising security and backed ongoing federal efforts to restore peace. It welcomed progress toward constitutional amendments needed to establish state police, expressing confidence that well-trained, equipped and supported state forces would improve national security. The group also expressed confidence in the newly inaugurated Board of Trustees of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund.
Members commended states already contributing N1 billion monthly to the Security Trust Fund and urged all member states to honour their financial pledges consistently. The forum called on traditional rulers, civil society organisations, the media and citizens to support the Board's mandate. It pledged to strengthen intelligence sharing, build community resilience and develop a lasting framework for regional security and economic prosperity.
Poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and out-of-school children were identified as key drivers of insecurity. The forum committed to sustained investments in education, agriculture, livelihoods, youth empowerment and skills development. It urged governments and security agencies to protect farmers during the rainy season and pledged closer collaboration with traditional institutions, local governments and community leaders. Regional cooperation will extend to education, agriculture and healthcare under a unified development framework. The next meeting date will be communicated later.
The same governors calling for state police have not yet fully funded the existing Security Trust Fund meant to address the very insecurity they cite. They expect public trust while delaying financial commitments already pledged. Traditional rulers are now tasked with supporting a board they did not help capitalise. The framework for regional development sounds coordinated, but the delays in funding suggest otherwise.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
