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In order to combat the insecurity in the region, the Northern State’s Governors’ Forum has inaugurated a Northern Nigerian Security Trust Fund with former Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed and retired General Martin Luther Agwai, ex Chief of Defence Staff as Co-Chairmen.

Other members of the Trust Fund also included, the members include former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt General Umar Farouk Yahaya, a nominee from Sokoto State, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police Hafiz Mohammed Inuwa from Jigawa State and retired Air Vice Marshall Kabiru Aliyu, former Director of Sports Defence from Taraba State.

The rest members are Prof Usman Tar, Borno State Commissioner for Security, Air Vice Marshall Napolleon Bali(rtd), a senator from Plateau State, retired Major General A.M Dikko, former National Coordinator of the National Centre for Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, from Niger State.

The nominee from Gombe State is retired AIG Sunday Babaji, AVM Farouk Omeiza Umar(rtd), former Chief of Policy and Plans at the Defence Headquarters, represents Kogi State.

Retired Major General Muhammad Sani, ex Chief of Army Standards and Evaluation is from Kano State, while Muhammad Mujtaba Isa is a former Head of Service of Zamfara State and Alhaji Adamu Tanko Umar, from Nasarawa State, is a retired Chief Superintendent of Customs.

The nominee from Kaduna State is Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, former Head of Service and retired DIG Sani Usman Mohammed is the Chief Security Officer of Bauchi State.

Retired Major General Bello Sarkin Yaki, the ex Coordinator of the Counter Terrorism Centre, office of the National Security Adviser is the nominee from Kebbi State.

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustafa is from Adamawa while Alhaji Falalu Bawale, Head of Civil Service of Katsina State.

Retired Brig General Ibrahim Bolakala Agbab, former Chief of Staff, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, is from Kwara State while Maj General John Seyina Malu(rtd), former Chief of Defence Standards and Evaluation is from Benue. Former IGP Usman Alkali Baba is from Yobe State.

Besides, speaking at the event, the Governor of Gombe State and Chairman of Northern States Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, recalled that at the Forum’s resolution at the meetings of 2nd December 2025 and 30 March 2026 in Kaduna and Abuja respectively.

According to him, ” we were united on one conviction: that the security crisis in Northern Nigeria requires prompt, coordinated, and decisive measures in order to rescue our region from the brink of total collapse.”’

” While the Federal Government bears primary responsibility for national security, the complementary efforts of the 19 Northern States are needed so as to support federal security efforts, facilitate intelligence sharing, foster community resilience, and establish a lasting framework for regional security and prosperity,” he recalled.

The Chairman of the Forum noted that it is ”in furtherance of this commitment that the Forum resolved to establish the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund.

”The Fund is conceived as a practical mechanism for mobilising resources, supporting security coordination, strengthening intelligence collaboration, and complementing the efforts of the Federal Government and its security agencies towards discharging the onerous task of securing our people and protecting our communities,” he said.

Governor Yahaya pointed out that ”today’s inauguration of the Board of Trustees marks the first major step toward actualising the Forum’s commitment to tackling the ravaging insecurity across our region in a more organized, coordinated, sustainable and accountable manner.”

He said that the members have been carefully selected by the Governments of the nineteen Northern States, adding that ”they are men who have distinguished themselves in their various fields of endeavour in the service of our great country.”

He assured that the Trust Fund is not intended to become another layer of bureaucracy and ” must not be allowed to become an administrative structure that merely holds meetings.

”Rather, it must function as a focused, responsive and credible platform for resource mobilisation, strategic support, alignment and coordination with Federal security agencies and other relevant institutions and stakeholders in order to secure our states,” he added.

According to him, the framework of the Fund clearly outlines the responsibilities of the Board of Trustees and ”these include but not limited to providing oversight, ensuring proper management of resources, promoting transparency and accountability.”

Governor Yahaya said the framework will guide the prioritisation of interventions, and supporting initiatives that improve security coordination across Northern Nigeria.

”The Trustees are expected to act with diligence, independence, fairness and a strong sense of responsibility in discharging their duties,” he added.

”The Board must also ensure that the Fund remains practical and results-oriented. Our people are not looking for another institution; they are looking for action, protection, stability and hope.

”The success of this Fund will therefore be measured by the extent to which it supports real improvements in security coordination, intelligence sharing, rapid response and the overall protection of lives and property.

In his welcome remarks, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has reaffirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing the development priorities of Northern Nigeria.

He said that the Federal Government has intervened strategically across the transportation, agriculture, healthcare, education and energy sectors, including infrastructure and national security.

According to the Governor, these interventions are laying the solid foundation for long-term national growth and stability.

Governor Sani who said this at the opening ceremony of the Northern States Governors’ Forum meeting holding at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House Kaduna on Wednesday, added that the north appreciates the president’s support.

He also reaffirmed the north’s ”readiness to continue working in partnership with the Federal Government to build a more secure, prosperous and united Nigeria.”

The Governor said that Nigeria has continued to make encouraging progress across several fronts since when the Forum last met.

”While we remain fully conscious of the complex challenges that still confront our nation, it is equally important to acknowledge the measurable gains that have been recorded through sustained collaboration between the Federal Government and the states,” he added.

The Governor argued that progress ” is built not by ignoring challenges but by confronting them with determination, consistency and collective purpose.”

According to him, ”one of the most consequential developments in our national discourse is the steady progress towards the establishment of State Police.

”For many years, Governors across party lines have advocated a policing architecture that is more responsive to local realities and better equipped to address contemporary security challenges.

”The establishment of State Police in Nigeria is not only a necessity but an urgent and strategic imperative.

”With Nigeria’s vast landscape, the increasing sophistication of criminal elements, and the paltry number of Police and Military personnel, the creation of State Police will no doubt be a force multiplier in our quest to degrade and decimate bandits, terrorists and kidnappers laying siege to our communities,” he added.

Governor Sani who commended President Tinubu for demonstrating courage to champion state police, pointed out that the nation needs more boots on the ground to secure our people and our communities.

” The Senate and House of Representatives also deserve special commendation for moving decisively to pass the State Police Bill. I am confident that the Conference Committtee will waste no time in coming up with a final draft.

”History and posterity will be kind to Mr. President, the National Assembly, State Governors, and other critical stakeholders for supporting the creation of State Police which has the potentials of frontally tackling our challenges of insecurity,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar who led other traditional rulers in the region to the inauguration, pledged the support of all the royal father to any action taken by the Governors to end security challenges in the North.