By Editor -in-Chief MAHMOUD MUHAMMAD
The Northern States Governors’ Forum on Wednesday inaugurated the Board of Trustees of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund at Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna. The inauguration marks a major step in the region’s collective effort to tackle insecurity.
Former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (retd.), and former Minister of Defence and former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, were appointed as co-chairmen of the board. The board comprises retired military officers, former heads of security agencies and senior public servants drawn from the 19 northern states.
Other members include former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya (retd.) for Sokoto; former DIG Hafiz Mohammed Inuwa for Jigawa; retired AVM Kabiru Aliyu for Taraba; and former IGP Usman Alkali Baba for Yobe. The list also has Prof. Usman Tar, Borno Commissioner for Internal Security; Senator Napoleon Bali (retd. AVM) for Plateau; and retired Maj. Gen. A.M. Dikko for Niger.
Additional members are retired AIG Sunday Babaji for Gombe; retired AVM Farouk Omeiza Umar for Kogi; retired Maj. Gen. Muhammad Sani for Kano; former Zamfara Head of Service Muhammad Mujtaba Isa; retired CSC Adamu Tanko Umar for Nasarawa; and former Kaduna Head of Service Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha. Others include retired DIG Sani Usman Mohammed for Bauchi, retired Maj. Gen. Bello Sarkin Yaki for Kebbi, former SGF Boss Mustapha for Adamawa, Alhaji Falalu Bawale for Katsina, retired Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Agbab for Kwara, and retired Maj. Gen. John Malu for Benue.
The Board of Trustees is expected to provide strategic oversight for the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund. The Fund was established to mobilise resources, strengthen intelligence collaboration and support coordinated efforts against banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, cattle rustling and other security threats across the region.
At the meeting, the 19 northern governors resolved that each state, in collaboration with its local governments, will contribute ₦1 billion monthly for 12 months to finance the Trust Fund. The commitment is aimed at ensuring sustainable funding for security operations.
Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, said the initiative is designed to complement, not replace, federal government and security agency efforts. He described the Fund as “a focused, responsive and credible platform” for supporting security operations, with success to be measured by its impact on protecting lives and property.
Traditional rulers, led by the Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, endorsed the initiative. The Sultan described the Trust Fund as a long-overdue practical approach to addressing insecurity and pledged the full support of traditional institutions.
Traditional rulers, led by the Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, endorsed the initiative. The Sultan described the Trust Fund as a long-overdue practical approach to addressing insecurity and pledged the full support of traditional institutions.
The inauguration followed the governors’ resolution to establish the Trust Fund as a regional response to the worsening security situation in the North. Communities across the region have suffered repeated attacks by bandits, terrorists and kidnappers, resulting in thousands of deaths, mass displacement, destruction of livelihoods and disruption of farming activities.
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