Insecurity: No room for complacency, Northern Govs declare, again back State Policing

2026-03-30 - 14:34

By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA: The Northern States Governors’ Forum NSGF has declared that despite “measurable improvement” in the security landscape of Northern Nigeria, the region cannot afford to lower its guard. Addressing his colleagues at the forum’s meeting on Monday in Abuja, Governor of Gombe State and Chairman of the NSGF, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, emphasized that the safety of the populace remains the indispensable foundation for any meaningful development. While acknowledging the progress made through coordination with the Federal Government since their last assembly in December 2025, Yahaya was clear on the need for continued vigilance. “Today, I am encouraged to note that, through our collective efforts and the support of the Federal Government, the security situation across parts of Northern Nigeria has shown measurable improvement. “However, there is absolutely no room for complacency. We must sustain and intensify our collective efforts to consolidate on the gains recorded by neutralizing emerging threats”, he stated. A central pillar of the region’s new security strategy is the operationalization of the Northern States Security Trust Fund. The Chairman noted that the initiative, which requires each member state to contribute one billion naira monthly, is a “bold and practical step” towards a sustainable regional security architecture. While he commended states such as Nasarawa, Gombe, Borno, Kebbi, and Kaduna for fulfilling their financial commitments, he urged trailing states to expedite their contributions to ensure the fund’s effectiveness. The governors also reaffirmed their unwavering stance on the necessity of constitutional reforms to allow for the creation of state police. The forum argued that the unique complexities of the region’s security challenges demand localized, intelligence-driven solutions that only a decentralized policing system can provide. “We have consistently maintained that the nature and complexity of the security challenges we face require localized, intelligence-driven responses that only state policing can effectively provide,” Yahaya stated. He praised President Bola Tinubu for his leadership in advancing the necessary constitutional framework alongside the National Assembly. Beyond kinetic military and police action, the forum also noted the socio-economic drivers of instability. The Chairman reminded the governors that insecurity in the North is “deeply intertwined with issues of illiteracy, poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment.” He called for a massive, deliberate investment in human capital, specifically citing the crisis of out-of-school children as a priority that requires “urgent, continuous and coordinated action.” As the rainy season approaches, the NSGF is also turning its attention to the recurring farmer-herder conflicts that threaten agricultural productivity. The forum expressed its support for the presidency’s livestock transformation initiatives, viewing them as a modern pathway to resolving long-standing communal tensions. The meeting concluded with a call for unity among the governors and a plea for the citizens of Northern Nigeria to remain patient and resilient. Governor Yahaya urged his colleagues to rise above differences and act decisively, noting that “the expectations of our people are high, and rightly so.”