Insecurity: Northern Governors, Traditional Rulers Ask NASS to Accelerate Action on State Police
The Northern Governors’ Forum and the region’s traditional rulers’ council have restated their support for the establishment of state police, urging the National Assembly to move quickly on enacting the legal basis for its operation.
This was one of their resolutions from Saturday’s joint meeting at Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House in Kaduna State.
At the end of the conference, the northern governors committed to collaborate with the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) to hammer out methods for increasing support to the federal security forces, according to a communiqué read by the forum’s chairman and Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya.
They also agreed to strengthen specific local initiatives targeted at combating various security threats by developing interstate platforms to coordinate monitoring across common boundaries.
While acknowledging the importance of nonpartisan cooperation, collaboration, and peer review in effectively addressing the numerous developmental challenges confronting the northern region and the country as a whole, the governors praised President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to addressing northern Nigeria’s security challenges and infrastructure deficits.
Governor Yahaya, in his introductory remarks, emphasised the importance of joint effort to boost regional development and combat insecurity while also condemning recent attacks and killings in Plateau, Benue, Bauchi, Borno, and Yobe states.
He asked the federal government to examine its security strategy, emphasising that it requires collaboration among federal, state, and municipal security systems.
Today, I had the privilege of hosting a combined meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers Council at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna.
The well-attended meeting discussed the security situation in the North and other topics. pic.twitter.com/acjwYiZ61o
— Senator Uba Sani (@ubasanius), May 10, 2025.
According to the Northern Governors’ Forum, the revival of Boko Haram activities in the northeast, as well as violent killings in the north-central regions, are serious problems that must be addressed immediately.
“We must collaborate to overcome the security concerns confronting our region. It is critical that we strengthen our security measures to safeguard our residents and secure their safety,” he stated.
He praised President Tinubu’s dedication to Nigeria’s security while also emphasising the need for more effective methods.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State (left) and his colleague from Gombe, Inuwa Yahaya, attend the Northern Governors’ Forum meeting in Kaduna on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Photo: X/ubasanius.
Governor Yahaya also expressed alarm about the state of infrastructure in northern Nigeria, noting neglected projects like the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line and the Kano-Maiduguri motorway.
To fill the infrastructure deficit, the Kebbi governor has called for creative funding methods such as public-private partnerships and infrastructure bonds.
In his remarks, Kaduna State Governor and meeting host Uba Sani praised Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to addressing infrastructural gaps in the north.
Sani complimented Tinubu’s initiative to complete the dual highway project that connects Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria, and Kano.
“Mr President will go down in history as the leader who listened to the cries of the Northern people and took decisive action,” the governor declared.
He stated that the route connected the Federal Capital Territory to 12 states in the North Central, North West, and North East zones, providing an essential link between the south and north.
The governor underlined the need for a strategy to address security, peace, governance, and development concerns in northern Nigeria.
“We do not have the luxury of time. “Our people want results,” he emphasised, advocating the creation of an implementation and financial strategy to accelerate progress.
While greeting his colleagues and traditional rulers to the conference, he praised the Gombe governor’s chairman and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, for his leadership.
“We have made significant progress on multiple fronts. However, issues remain. I urge us to expedite the creation of a roadmap to address challenges of security, peace, governance, and development in northern Nigeria. In addition, we must follow through on the roadmap with an implementation and funding plan. We cannot afford to waste more time. Our people expect results.
“I must conclude my welcoming message by commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his unwavering commitment to tackling northern Nigeria’s infrastructure inadequacies. The long-abandoned Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual road is one of the President’s most significant efforts in our region. The route connects the Federal Capital Territory with around 12 states in the North Central, North West, and North East Zones.
“It provides an important link between Nigeria’s southern and northern regions. Mr. President will be remembered as the leader who listened to the northern people’s cry and acted decisively. He extended gratitude to the President.