The Northern Governors have inaugurated the Board of Trustees of the Northern States Security Trust Fund, marking a major step towards strengthening regional efforts to combat insecurity across Northern Nigeria.

As part of the initiative, the governors collectively pledged to contribute ₦1 billion every month to the Trust Fund to support security operations, improve collaboration among stakeholders, and provide resources for tackling banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, cattle rustling and other violent crimes affecting the region.

The Board of Trustees will be jointly chaired by Alhaji Mahmoud Yayale Ahmed, CFR, a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and General Martin Luther Agwai, CFR (rtd), a former Chief of Defence Staff and former Commander of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur.

The newly inaugurated board comprises experienced retired military officers, former police chiefs, senior civil servants, security experts and public administrators drawn from the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The appointed members are:

Lt. Gen. Umar Farouk Yahaya (rtd), former Chief of Army Staff, representing Sokoto State.

DIG Hafiz Mohd Inuwa (rtd), former Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Research and Statistics, representing Jigawa State.

AVM Kabiru Aliyu (rtd), former Director of Sports at Defence Headquarters, representing Taraba State.

Prof. Usman Tar, Commissioner for Security in Borno State.

AVM Napoleon Bali (rtd), Senator representing Plateau State.

Maj. Gen. A. M. Dikko (rtd), National Coordinator of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, representing Niger State.

AIG Sunday Babaji (rtd), former Assistant Inspector General of Police, representing Gombe State.

AVM Farouk Omeiza Umar (rtd), former Chief of Policy and Plans at Defence Headquarters, representing Kogi State.

Maj. Gen. Muhammad Sani (rtd), former Chief of Army Standards and Evaluation, representing Kano State.

Muhammad Mujtaba Isa, former Head of Service, representing Zamfara State.

Alhaji Adamu Tanko Umar, retired Chief Superintendent of Customs, representing Nasarawa State.

Malam Abubakar Mustafa, former Head of Service, representing Kaduna State.

DIG Sani Usman Mohammed (rtd), Chief Security Officer of Bauchi State, representing Bauchi State.

Maj. Gen. Bello Sarkin Yaki (rtd), Coordinator of the Counter Terrorism Centre in the Office of the National Security Adviser, representing Kebbi State.

Barrister Boss Mustafa, CFR, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, representing Adamawa State.

Alhaji Falalu Bawale, Head of the Civil Service of Katsina State.

Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Bolakala Agbab (rtd), former Chief of Staff of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, representing Kwara State.

Maj. Gen. John Seyina Malu (rtd), former Chief of Defence Standards and Evaluation, representing Benue State.

IGP Usman Alkali Baba (rtd), former Inspector General of Police, representing Yobe State.

The establishment of the Security Trust Fund reflects the determination of Northern governors to adopt a coordinated regional approach to addressing the growing security challenges confronting the region. The initiative is expected to complement ongoing efforts by federal security agencies through improved funding, strategic planning and stronger collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

With a monthly commitment of ₦1 billion, the Trust Fund is expected to finance critical security interventions, support intelligence gathering, improve logistics for security agencies and encourage greater cooperation between governments, security institutions and local communities.

Northern Nigeria has continued to experience security threats ranging from terrorism and insurgency in the North-East to banditry, kidnapping and communal violence in parts of the North-West and North-Central. These challenges have affected lives, disrupted farming activities, displaced thousands of residents and slowed economic development.

Observers say the inauguration of the Board of Trustees and the financial commitment by the governors demonstrate a renewed resolve to tackle insecurity through collective action. They, however, stress that the success of the initiative will depend on transparency, accountability and the effective utilisation of the funds to deliver measurable improvements in the security situation across the region. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.