Full Text: Northern Governors Announce Mining Ban, N1bn Monthly Security Fund, Other Key Decisions”

A six-month moratorium of mining operations throughout the region has been requested by northern governors and traditional leaders, who have warned that illegal mining has become a significant contributing factor to banditry, terrorism, and other violent crimes plaguing northern Nigeria.

It was reported that the idea was contained in a communiqué published on Monday, December 1, after a joint session of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council (NTRC) at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.

All 19 northern governors and chairmen of the 19 traditional councils attended the conference, which was presided over by NSGF Chairman and Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya.

The leaders voiced their grave worry over the recent Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe, as well as the renewed wave of murders, kidnappings, and terror attacks reported in the states of Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa, and Kano.

In their opinion, the attacks on kids and rural communities had become “unacceptable tragedies” requiring prompt, coordinated intervention.

“The Forum extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the governments and good people of the affected states,” the communiqué added.

President Bola Tinubu was commended by the regional leaders for what they called the government’s “firm response” to the recent kidnappings, especially the rescue of some youngsters who had been abducted.

They also appreciated the sacrifices of security officers battling on many fronts.

“We resolved to renew our support for every step taken by the President and Commander-in-Chief to take the fight to insurgents’ enclaves in order to end the criminality,” the northern governors affirmed.

One of the major resolutions of the meeting was the North’s renewed and unanimous endorsement of state police, which the leaders believed had become unavoidable in the face of rising insecurity.

The communiqué stated, “The Forum reaffirms its wholehearted support and commitment to the establishment of state police,” and it urged regional federal and state legislators to move quickly to make the idea a reality.

See the communique below:
‘Northern Governors Launch Landmark Regional Security Trust Fund with N1bn Monthly Contributions Per State’

The communiqué was released during the joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council on Monday, December 1, 2025, at the Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna.

The Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council convened a joint meeting today, Monday, 1st December, 2025 at the Council Chamber, 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 Traditional Rulers’ Councils. After exhaustive debates on crucial problems of shared interest touching both the area and the nation, the Forum hereby submits the following communiqué:

The Forum applauds all of its members and our Royal Fathers for their unwavering dedication to regional growth, security, stability, and togetherness. At this important point in our history, we understand that only through unity, peer review and cooperation can we address the tremendous difficulties before us. Accordingly, we reiterate our resolve to address these problems with force and clarity in order to fulfill our constitutional duties.

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.

The Forum applauds the Federal Government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for doing all possible to ensure the timely release of the kidnapped children and to address other security issues. We similarly commend the sacrifices of our servicemen in uniform who continue to confront all sorts of violent insurgencies around the country.
In order to put a stop to criminality, the Forum decided to reaffirm its support for all actions taken by the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to combat rebels at their enclave.

The Forum reiterates its unwavering support and dedication to the creation of State Police. Accordingly, the Forum encourages National and States Assembly Members in the region to hasten steps for its actualisation.

The Forum 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 proper audit. In order to stop the threat of artisanal illegal mining, all mining licenses should be revalidated for a period of six months in active consultation with the various state governors.

The Forum decided to establish a regional Security Trust Fund, which will be financed by monthly contributions of one billion Naira from each state and local government that will be deducted at source under a framework to be decided upon, in order to effectively address the security challenges in the North.

The forum decided to meet again at a later date.

Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, signed

Governor of Gombe State/ Chairman of Northern States Governors’ Forum.”