The Northern States Governors’ Forum, NSGF, has reaffirmed its support for the establishment of state police as part of efforts to address the region’s persistent security challenges.
The forum’s Chairman, who is also the Governor of Gombe State in North-East Nigeria, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, made the announcement during the forum’s meeting held in Abuja.
The Gombe Governor said that “modern security threats demanded more localised and intelligence-driven responses, given the escalating insecurity across the region.”
“We have consistently maintained that the nature and complexity of the security challenges we face require localised, intelligence-driven responses that only state policing can effectively provide,” he said.
Commendation
Governor Yahaya also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for working with the National Assembly to establish the constitutional framework necessary for the creation of state police.
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The forum reiterated its commitment to the Northern States Security Trust Fund, under which member states agreed to contribute N1 billion monthly.
Governor Yahaya, however, noted that contributions had varied across states, which had affected the strengthening of security operations.
He further commended the Nasarawa, Gombe, Borno, Kebbi, and Kaduna State Governments for meeting their obligations, urging others to do so promptly.
“The effectiveness of this Fund depends on our collective commitment, consistency, and shared sense of urgency,” he said.
The Gombe Governor added that states were required to nominate trustees to ensure transparent oversight of the Fund.
The forum’s Chairman stressed that military action alone would not resolve insecurity in the region, linking the crisis to long-standing socio-economic challenges.
“Insecurity in Northern Nigeria is deeply intertwined with issues of illiteracy, poverty, unemployment, and underdevelopment. If we are to achieve lasting peace, we must invest deliberately and massively in education and human capital development,” Governor Yahaya said.