Northern Governors Ban Mining, Unveil Northern Regional Security Trust Fund

The 19 Northern Governors, alongside the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, have issued deep measures over the deepening security crisis in the region.

In the communiqué issued after an emergency meeting in Kaduna on Monday, the Governors unveiled plans for a Northern Regional Security Trust Fund, to be financed by mandatory deductions of ₦1 billion monthly from each of the 19 northern states and their local governments.

They also directed the immediate suspension of all mining activities for six months, as the Forum accused illegal mining of fuelling criminal networks.

Key Resolutions from the Communiqué include;

– Immediate suspension of all mining activities for six months**: The Forum accused illegal mining of being a major driver of the security crisis in the North and demanded that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to halt all mining exploration and subject every mining licence to revalidation in active consultation with state governors. The leaders warned that artisanal and illegal mining must be brought under control to starve criminals of funding and logistics.

– Establishment of a Northern Regional Security Trust Fund: Each of the 19 northern states and their local governments will contribute ₦1 billion monthly, to be deducted at source, into a dedicated security fund. The framework for the fund will be finalised soon.

– Full backing for State Police: The governors and traditional rulers reiterated their “wholehearted support” for the creation of state police and urged northern federal and state lawmakers to fast-track the necessary constitutional amendments.

– Renewed support for President Tinubu’s anti-terrorism efforts: The Forum commended the President for securing the release of some recently abducted school children and praised the sacrifices of the armed forces. They pledged “renewed and total support” for any military action required to take the fight to insurgent enclaves to end terrorism and banditry once and for all.

– Condolences to affected states: The leaders extended heartfelt sympathies to the governments and people of Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kano, Borno, and Yobe states over recent killings, abductions of school children, and Boko Haram attacks.

The communiqué emphasised that “only through unity, peer review, and cooperation” can the North overcome its challenges, with the leaders reaffirming their determination to discharge their constitutional responsibilities with “firmness and clarity.”

Meanwhile, another joint meeting will be convened soon to review progress on these resolutions.