Communiqué by 19 Governors and the region’s Traditional Rulers

The 19 Northern Governors and the region’s Traditional Rulers have issued a strong statement after an emergency meeting at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna. They said only united action can end the growing insecurity in Northern Nigeria.

Key points from the communiqué:

Mining suspension: All mining activities will be paused for six months to stop illegal mining from funding criminals. Mining licences will be rechecked with state governments.

Northern Security Trust Fund: Each state and its local governments will contribute ₦1 billion monthly to a dedicated fund for security.

Support for state police: Governors and traditional rulers back the creation of state police and want lawmakers to act fast.

Backing President Tinubu: Leaders praised the President for releasing abducted school children and pledged full support for military action against terrorists and bandits.

Condolences: Sympathy was extended to states affected by killings, kidnappings, and Boko Haram attacks, including Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kano, Borno, and Yobe.

The leaders stressed that unity and cooperation are key to tackling insecurity in the North.