…Call for suspension of mining exploration for 6 months.
…Reaffirms support for creation of State Police.
…To set-up Regional Trust Fund to confront security crisis in north.
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Northern States’ Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has identified miming as the major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria, a communiqué issued at the end of its meeting held in Kaduna Monday and signed by the forum chairman, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has revealed.
The Forum’s meeting, in conjunction with the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council stated that, it “observed that illegal mining has become a major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria.”
The Forum, therefore, resolved to strongly recommend to the President to direct the Hon. Minister of Solid Minerals to suspend mining exploration for a period of 6 (six months) to allow for proper audit.
The Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council convened a joint meeting on Monday, 1st December 2025, at the Council Chamber of Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.
“The meeting was attended by their Excellencies, the Governors of the 19 Northern States and their Royal Highnesses, The Chairmen of the 19 Northern States,” it stated.
The communiqué commended all members and the Royal Fathers for their steadfast commitment to the unity, security, stability and development of the region.
It added: “At this pivotal juncture in our history, we recognize that only through unity, peer review and cooperation can we overcome the pressing challenges before us.
“Accordingly, we reaffirm our resolve to confront these challenges with firmness and clarity, in order to fulfill our constitutional responsibility,” it added.
The Forum extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the Governments and good people of Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano States, following the recent killings and abductions of school children and other innocent citizens, as well as to the victims of the Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe States.
It commended the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the prompt release of some of the abducted children and in handling other security challenges.
“Forum equally commended the sacrifices of our servicemen in uniform, who continue to battle various forms of violent insurgencies across the country.
“Consequently, the Forum resolved to renew its support for every step to be taken by the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, in taking the fight against insurgents to their enclave, in order to bring an end to the criminality.
“The Forum reaffirms its wholehearted support and commitment to the establishment of State Police. Accordingly, the Forum encourages National and States Assembly Members in the region to expedite action for its actualisation.
“It calls for subjecting all mining Licences to revalidation for a period of six months in active consultation with the various State Governors and, in the process, arrest the menace of artisanal illegal mining.
“In order to effectively confront the security crises in the North, the Forum resolved to set-up a regional Security Trust Fund to be funded with monthly contribution of One Billion Naira from each state and local governments to be deducted at source under a framework to be agreed upon. Forum resolved to reconvene on a date to be communicated.”