The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), comprising 19 state leaders, has called for an immediate overhaul of Nigeria’s security strategy and the establishment of state police to combat the resurgence of Boko Haram in the North-east, rising banditry in the North-west and North-central, and escalating insecurity nationwide.
The call was part of a communiqué issued on Saturday after a joint meeting with the Northern Traditional Rulers Council (NTRC) at the Kaduna State Government House. The governors urged the National Assembly to fast-track the legal framework required for the implementation of state police.
Reading the communiqué, Chairman of the NSGF and Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to address security and infrastructure challenges in the North but stressed the need for renewed and coordinated strategies in response to recent security setbacks.
“The forum resolved to liaise with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to increase support to federal security agencies, strengthen local initiatives, and establish inter-state platforms for coordinated border surveillance,” the communiqué stated.
Yahaya also extended condolences to the governments and people of Plateau, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, and Yobe states over recent violent attacks, describing them as “mindless acts of violence” that underscored the urgency of improving security measures.
He emphasized the need for enhanced synergy across all levels of government and security agencies, especially in light of the resurgence of Boko Haram and violent killings in some parts of the North.
The governors reiterated their support for the establishment of state police, with Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani dispelling fears of its potential abuse. Speaking during the meeting and later in an interview with ARISE News, Sani assured that a legal framework would restrict state police operations to combating criminality, not political interference.
He recalled opposition to his earlier Senate bill proposing state police, but noted that many states had since established vigilante groups, whose members are under-equipped to confront heavily armed criminals.
“With the creation of state police, trained officers would be empowered by law to carry the necessary arms to face bandits and terrorists,” he said.
The forum also discussed tax reforms, with Governor Yahaya noting that recent disagreements were resolved through collaborative engagement with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the National Economic Council, and the National Assembly.
The communiqué highlighted other key issues, including the poor state of infrastructure in the North. Yahaya praised President Tinubu’s commitment to completing major projects like the Kaduna-Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line and the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressway, but expressed concern over the neglect of others, such as the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line and Kano-Maiduguri expressway.
He also lamented the decline of the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) and advocated for its revival through reforms and competent management to drive regional development.
On social issues, Yahaya pointed to the persistent Almajiri phenomenon and youth unemployment as major impediments to human capital development. He urged proactive steps ahead of the rainy season to prevent farmer-herder clashes and climate-related crises.
Governor Sani emphasized the importance of unity and consensus among Northern leaders, describing the NSGF and NTRC as platforms that have bolstered Northern solidarity and earned national respect.
The NSGF’s next meeting is scheduled for August 30, 2025.
Meanwhile, prior to Saturday’s meeting, the North-west Governors’ Forum also met in Kaduna to deliberate on regional challenges. Katsina State Governor and Forum Chairman, Umar Radda, told journalists that discussions centered on insecurity and rising drug abuse among youths, with governors pledging joint action to tackle the issues.
Fourteen governors attended the NSGF meeting, while Borno, Kwara, Kano, Benue, and Bauchi states sent representatives.
Edited by Nzubechukwu Eze.
