Northern governors endorse state police, boost security funding

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Facing mounting pressure to curb worsening insecurity across Northern Nigeria, governors of the 19 northern states on Wednesday endorsed the establishment of state police, reaffirmed their commitment to a regional security trust fund, and unveiled a broader strategy aimed at tackling the socio-economic drivers of violent crime.

The decisions were reached at a joint meeting of the Northern Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NNGF) and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna.

The meeting, chaired by the Governor of Gombe State and Chairman of the NNGF, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, brought together governors and traditional rulers to deliberate exclusively on the region’s security challenges amid persistent attacks by terrorists, bandits and kidnappers that continue to claim lives, displace communities and disrupt farming and economic activities.

In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the forum described the security situation in Northern Nigeria as one requiring “urgent, coordinated and decisive action” and pledged to deepen cooperation with federal security agencies through intelligence sharing, community engagement and stronger regional collaboration.

The governors also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ongoing efforts to address insecurity nationwide and reaffirmed their support for federal security operations.

The governors renewed their backing for the creation of state police, describing it as a critical component of broader security sector reforms.

They welcomed ongoing constitutional efforts to establish state police and commended President Tinubu and the National Assembly for advancing the process.

The forum expressed confidence that state police, if professionally recruited, adequately trained, properly funded and subject to effective oversight, would improve intelligence gathering and strengthen responses to local security threats.

The debate over state policing has gained momentum recently as many states continue to contend with insecurity despite increased military deployments. While supporters believe that local policing would improve accountability and response times, critics have raised concerns about potential political interference, emphasising the necessity of legal protections and oversight in the ongoing constitutional discussions.

The meeting also reviewed the progress of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund, which aims to mobilise additional resources for regional security interventions.

The governors commended member states for redeeming their commitment to contribute ₦1 billion monthly to the fund and urged them to sustain the payments.

They expressed confidence in the newly inaugurated board of trustees of the fund, urging its members to discharge their responsibilities with transparency, fairness and accountability.

The forum also called on traditional rulers, civil society organisations, development partners, the media and citizens to support the initiative, noting that tackling insecurity requires collective action.

The governors acknowledged that military operations alone cannot end the region’s security crisis.

They identified poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and the growing number of out-of-school children as major drivers of insecurity and pledged greater investment in education, agriculture, youth empowerment, vocational training and job creation.

As the farming season gathers momentum, the forum also urged governments and security agencies to strengthen protection for farmers, particularly in communities affected by violence and communal tensions.

It further resolved to work with traditional institutions and local governments to prevent conflicts while promoting livestock transformation and other initiatives aimed at improving peaceful coexistence, modernising agriculture and protecting livelihoods.

Beyond security, the governors agreed to adopt a coordinated regional approach to development by strengthening collaboration in education, healthcare and agriculture.

According to the communiqué, the states will develop a common framework to pool resources, share technical expertise and implement policies capable of delivering long-term development across Northern Nigeria.

The communiqué was signed by Mr Yahaya, who said the forum would reconvene on a date to be announced.

Northern Nigeria remains the epicentre of several security crises, including the Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency in the North-east, armed banditry across the North-west, violent communal conflicts in parts of the North-central and widespread kidnapping for ransom. The violence has displaced millions of residents, disrupted agricultural production and deepened humanitarian and economic challenges across the region.

The decisions made in Kaduna show that northern governors are increasingly trying to support federal security efforts by introducing changes to institutions, working together regionally, and investing in long-term solutions to tackle the root causes of insecurity.

Yobe Police Train Officers on SOPs, Human Rights

By Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri

The Yobe State Police Command has trained its officers on the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and human rights of residents in the state.

The command said the retracing of personnel emphasised professionalism and the safe handling of weapons while on duty.

In a statement released. On Monday in Damaturu, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, disclosed, “The training is part of the ongoing retraining programme,” stating that the command will also conduct a live firearms simulation exercise at the state’s shooting range.

The SP further revealed: “Consequently, members of the public may hear intermittent gunshots around 1100 hours on Tuesday, 7th July, 2026. Residents are kindly advised not to panic, as the gunfire is part of a planned training exercise and is expected to last for one day.”

The Commissioner of Police, Usman Jibrin Kanfani, reiterated the command’s commitment to continuous capacity building for personnel to enhance professionalism, operational efficiency, and effective service delivery.

He, therefore, appealed to members of the public for their understanding and cooperation throughout the shooting range exercise.

Gov. Inuwa Yahaya Demands Action on Northern Security Crisis, Says ‘Enough of Empty Meetings’

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Governor of Gombe State and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has urged political leaders, traditional rulers and security stakeholders across Northern Nigeria to move beyond discussions and adopt practical measures to tackle the region’s worsening security and development challenges.

Speaking on Monday at the meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council in Dutse, Jigawa State, Mr Yahaya warned that persistent insecurity, poverty and underdevelopment pose a serious threat to the future of Northern Nigeria.

The meeting brought together governors, traditional rulers, security chiefs and representatives of the Federal Government under the theme: “Peace, Unity and Development of Northern Nigeria.”

The governor described the security situation in the region as alarming, citing the continued rise in banditry, insurgency, communal violence and farmer-herder conflicts.

According to him, the growing wave of violence has weakened social cohesion, disrupted livelihoods and slowed economic progress across many northern communities.

“Without security, there can be no unity. Without security and unity, there can be no development,” he said.

Mr Yahaya argued that the roots of insecurity extend beyond criminal activities, linking the crisis to decades of poverty, unemployment and poor access to quality education.

He noted that millions of people in Northern Nigeria remain trapped in multidimensional poverty, while a significant number of the country’s out-of-school children are concentrated in the region.

The governor said the combination of poverty, illiteracy and youth unemployment has created conditions that allow criminal groups and violent extremists to recruit vulnerable young people.

To address the challenges, he called for far-reaching reforms, including the establishment of state police, increased investment in education and skills acquisition, expansion of employment opportunities, revitalisation of agriculture and enhanced support for security agencies.

Mr Yahaya stressed that northern leaders must abandon the culture of endless deliberations without implementation.

“Enough of meetings that do not produce results. Enough of communiqués that are not implemented. Enough of promises that are not followed by action,” he declared.

The NSGF chairman also expressed condolences to the government and people of Katsina State over the killing of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar by bandits, describing the incident as a painful reminder that insecurity affects all segments of society.

“No one is safe until everyone is safe,” he said.

He urged traditional rulers to strengthen community-based intelligence gathering and vigilance efforts, describing them as indispensable partners in maintaining peace and security.

“You are not just ceremonial figures; you are essential partners in security, unity and development,” he told the royal fathers.

In his remarks, the Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, highlighted the multiple challenges confronting the North, including insecurity, poverty, youth unemployment, climate-related pressures, drug abuse, farmer-herder clashes and the erosion of societal values.

He acknowledged ongoing efforts by the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu to combat insecurity through intensified military operations, improved intelligence sharing and collaboration with state governments.

Mr Namadi also cited the recent Northwest Peace and Security Summit in Katsina as an important step toward strengthening regional cooperation.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by Deputy Inspector-General Tunji Disu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to tackling crime and ensuring public safety.

He described the Northern Traditional Rulers Council as a critical institution and emphasised that the stability of Northern Nigeria remains vital to national peace and development.

“We must sustain collaboration to confront emerging security threats on all fronts,” he said.

Representing President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, commended the Northern Traditional Rulers Council for its longstanding role in promoting peace and community mobilisation.

He said the Federal Government was intensifying efforts to address both the immediate and underlying causes of insecurity through interventions in agriculture, education, economic empowerment and social inclusion.

According to him, the development and stability of Northern Nigeria remain central to the nation’s overall growth and prosperity.

Also speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, welcomed the participation of the NSGF chairman, describing it as a sign of the governors’ commitment to finding lasting solutions to the region’s challenges.

The monarch urged citizens to continue supporting and praying for leaders at all levels, stressing that leadership is a sacred trust that must be exercised with responsibility and accountability.

He also called for reflection and collective action, urging both leaders and citizens to learn from past experiences and work together to build a more peaceful, united and prosperous Northern Nigeria.