Northern Governors and Monarchs Call for Six-Month Mining Ban and State Police as Insecurity Escalates

From: Femi Oyelola in Kaduna

The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council convened a joint meeting on Monday, December 1, 2025, at the Council Chamber of the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna.

Chaired by Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the Governor of Gombe State and NSGF Chairman, the gathering included all 19 northern governors and the chairpersons of the 19 state traditional councils.

In a communiqué issued following extensive deliberations, the Forum expressed deep concern over the rising violence in several northern states, including recent killings and abductions in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa, and Kano, along with renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe. The statement offered condolences and solidarity to the governments and people of the affected states, describing the attacks on schoolchildren and other citizens as “unacceptable tragedies” that require urgent collective action.

The leaders commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what they termed the Federal Government’s “firm response” to recent abductions and insurgency threats, specifically highlighting the successful rescue of some kidnapped pupils. They also praised the security agencies for their sacrifices on the front lines. They resolved to “renew our support for every step taken by the President and Commander-in-Chief to take the fight to insurgents’ enclaves to end the criminality.”

A key outcome of the meeting was the Forum’s renewed advocacy for the establishment of state police. “The Forum reaffirms its wholehearted support and commitment to the establishment of state police,” the communiqué stated, urging federal and state lawmakers from the region to “expedite action for its actualization.”

Addressing the issue of illegal mining, the governors noted that criminal mining networks were fueling violence and supplying resources to armed groups. Consequently, they requested President Tinubu to instruct the Minister of Solid Minerals to impose a six-month suspension of mining activities across the region. This pause would facilitate a comprehensive audit and revalidation of licenses. “The Forum observed that illegal mining has become a major contributing factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria. We strongly recommend a suspension of mining exploration for six months to allow for a proper audit and to combat the menace of artisanal illegal mining,” the statement added.

To bolster the fight against insecurity, the Forum announced the creation of a regional Security Trust Fund. Under the proposed framework, each state and its local governments will contribute ₦1 billion monthly, which will be deducted at source. This fund is intended to provide sustainable financing for joint operations, intelligence-driven interventions, and coordinated security responses throughout the north.

Reaffirming its commitment to unity and collective responsibility, the Forum declared, “Only through unity, peer review, and cooperation can we overcome the pressing challenges before us.” The leaders agreed to reconvene on a date to be announced later.