GOVERNORS, TRADITIONAL RULERS ENDORSE STATE POLICE, INAUGURATE NORTHERN NIGERIA SECURITY TRUST FUND BOARD.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu
Democracy Newsline Northern Bureau Chief
July 9, 2026.
The Northern States Governors’ Forum, in collaboration with the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, has endorsed the establishment of State Police and inaugurated the Board of Trustees of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund in a renewed effort to strengthen security and promote sustainable development across the region.
The resolutions were reached at a joint meeting of the Forum and the Council of Emirs and Chiefs held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna State Government House, where leaders from across the 19 Northern states deliberated on the persistent security challenges confronting the region and adopted far-reaching measures aimed at restoring peace and stability.
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Presenting the communiqué at the end of the meeting, the Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, said the decision to support the creation of State Police was informed by the urgent need to strengthen community-based policing and enhance the capacity of states to respond more effectively to emerging security threats.
Governor Yahaya explained that the Forum also inaugurated the Board of Trustees of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund to mobilise financial and institutional support for security agencies in combating banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, cattle rustling and other criminal activities affecting the region.
The Forum appointed former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, and former Chief of Defence Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), as Co-Chairmen of the Board of Trustees. Other members of the board were drawn from the 19 Northern states based on their distinguished records of integrity, public service and contributions to national development.
In a major financial commitment, the governors resolved that the 19 Northern state governments would jointly contribute ₦1 billion every month to the Security Trust Fund. The initiative is expected to provide sustainable funding for intelligence gathering, logistics, operational support, capacity building and other interventions designed to improve regional security.
The governors noted that insecurity remains one of the greatest obstacles to economic growth, agricultural productivity, investment and social development in Northern Nigeria, stressing that lasting peace is indispensable for the prosperity of the region.
Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, was represented at the meeting by his Deputy, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo, who joined fellow governors, traditional rulers and other critical stakeholders in charting a common strategy for addressing insecurity and accelerating development across the North.
Earlier, the host Governor, Senator Uba Sani of Kaduna State, welcomed participants and emphasized the importance of unity, collaboration and collective responsibility in overcoming security challenges. He observed that sustainable peace could only be achieved through stronger cooperation among governments, security agencies, traditional institutions and local communities.
Also speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, appealed to citizens across the region to continue supporting security agencies by providing credible information and cooperating with law enforcement authorities.
The Sultan described security as a shared responsibility that requires the active participation of every citizen, adding that governments alone cannot successfully defeat criminality without the support of communities.
Observers say the endorsement of State Police by Northern governors and traditional rulers represents one of the strongest regional positions yet on the ongoing national debate over policing reforms. The establishment of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund is also expected to complement federal security efforts by providing additional resources to tackle the region’s complex security challenges.
The meeting reaffirmed the determination of Northern leaders to work collectively towards restoring lasting peace, protecting lives and property, and creating an enabling environment for economic growth, investment and sustainable development across Northern Nigeria.
Source: Lurwanu Idris Malikawa Garu, Public Relations Officer, Office of the Deputy Governor, Kano State.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JULY 9TH 2026)
