Fresh details have emerged from the high-level security meeting involving the nineteen Northern governors and top traditional rulers under the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, held on Monday, December 1, at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House in Kaduna State.

The gathering focused heavily on the region’s worsening insecurity and the urgent steps needed to restore peace and stability.

Insecurity Now a National Threat — NSGF Chairman

Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, warned that insecurity in the North has grown beyond a regional problem and is now a full-blown national threat.

Yahaya insisted that Nigeria must undertake bold structural reforms—including the creation of state police—to effectively combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, farmer-herder clashes, and other violent crimes crippling the region.

“State police remains a critical and effective mechanism to address present security challenges facing the country,” he said.

He noted that centralised policing can no longer adequately respond to the complexity of threats spreading across northern communities.

Socio-Economic Factors Fueling the Crisis

Yahaya identified multiple root causes contributing to the escalating violence, including:

Underdevelopment

Illiteracy

Weak infrastructure

High unemployment

Environmental degradation

Poor resource management

He stressed that unless these underlying issues are addressed, the region will continue to struggle with instability.

Commendation for Federal Efforts

The Gombe State governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for recent interventions that led to the rescue of abducted victims across the North. He urged the Federal Government to sustain efforts until all kidnapped persons are freed.

Yahaya reaffirmed the commitment of Northern governors to work closely with the Federal Government, security agencies, local leaders, and communities to safeguard lives, especially in schools and rural areas.

Kaduna Governor Highlights Ongoing Reforms

Host governor Uba Sani revealed that Northern governors are already implementing regional strategies aimed at strengthening security, enhancing governance, and improving stability.

He added that a peer-review mechanism is being used among governors to boost accountability and improve service delivery.

Sani also emphasized the importance of traditional rulers in peacebuilding, early warning systems, and community mobilisation.

Traditional Leaders Pledge Support

Speaking for the royal fathers, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, reaffirmed the unwavering support of traditional institutions in the fight for peace.

He stressed that good governance must remain a top priority and urged governors to ensure people-centered and effective service delivery.