Northern governors unveil security trust funds to tackle banditry, others in the region

…appoint Martin Luther, Yayale as co-chair

The Northern States Governors’ Forum has launched a Northern Nigerian Security Trust Fund, with General Martin Luther Agwai, ex-Chief of Defence Staff, and Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, former Minister of Defence, as Co-Chairmen, to combat the insecurity ravaging the region.

 

Speaking at an event in Kaduna on Wednesday, Inuwa Yahaya, the Governor of Gombe State and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, recalled that the Forum adopted the resolution at its meetings on 2nd December 2025 and 30 March 2026 in Kaduna and Abuja, respectively.

He said that the members have been carefully selected by the Governments of the nineteen Northern States, adding that ”they are men who have distinguished themselves in their various fields of endeavour in the service of our great country.

 

Governor Inuwa charged members of the Board to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, transparency, and accountability, stressing that the success of the Trust Fund would be measured by its ability to strengthen intelligence sharing, improve security coordination, and enhance the protection of lives and property across the region.

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The Forum further urged member states to fulfil their financial commitments to the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund to guarantee the sustainability of the initiative. It also called on traditional rulers, the private sector, development partners, civil society organisations, and citizens to support the collective effort to restore lasting peace and security across Northern Nigeria.

Recognising that insecurity is driven by multiple socio-economic factors, the governors resolved to intensify investments in education, agriculture, youth empowerment, job creation, skills acquisition, and poverty reduction. They also agreed to work closely with traditional institutions, local governments, and community leaders to safeguard farmers during the rainy season, prevent communal conflicts, and promote peaceful coexistence.

Beyond security, the forum resolved to deepen regional cooperation in education, healthcare, agriculture, and economic development through a unified framework that will promote coordinated interventions, innovation, and sustainable growth across Northern Nigeria.

According to him, ” we were united on one conviction: that the security crisis in Northern Nigeria requires prompt, coordinated, and decisive measures to rescue our region from the brink of total collapse.”’

” While the Federal Government bears primary responsibility for national security, the complementary efforts of the 19 Northern States are needed to support federal security efforts, facilitate intelligence sharing, foster community resilience, and establish a lasting framework for regional security and prosperity,” he recalled.

The Chairman of the Forum noted that it is ”in furtherance of this commitment that the Forum resolved to establish the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund. ”

”The Fund is conceived as a practical mechanism for mobilising resources, supporting security coordination, strengthening intelligence collaboration, and complementing the efforts of the Federal Government and its security agencies towards discharging the onerous task of securing our people and protecting our communities.

”Rather, it must function as a focused, responsive and credible platform for resource mobilisation, strategic support, alignment and coordination with Federal security agencies and other relevant institutions and stakeholders to secure our states,” he added.

Other members of the Trust Fund include the former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt General Umar Farouk Yahaya; a nominee from Sokoto State, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police Hafiz Mohammed Inuwa from Jigawa State; and retired Air Vice Marshal Kabiru Aliyu, former Director of Sports Defence from Taraba State.

The rest of the members are Prof Usman Tar, Borno State Commissioner for Security; Air Vice Marshal Napoleon Bali (rtd), a senator from Plateau State; and retired Major General A.M Dikko, former National Coordinator of the National Centre for Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, from Niger State.

The nominee from Gombe State is retired AIG Sunday Babaji; AVM Farouk Omeiza Umar(rtd), former Chief of Policy and Plans at the Defence Headquarters, represents Kogi State.

Retired Major General Muhammad Sani, ex-Chief of Army Standards and Evaluation, is from Kano State. At the same time, Muhammad Mujtaba Isa, a former Head of Service of Zamfara State and Alhaji Adamu Tanko Umar, from Nasarawa State, are retired Chief Superintendents of Customs.

The nominee from Kaduna State is Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, former Head of Service and retired DIG Sani Usman Mohammed is the Chief Security Officer of Bauchi State.

Retired Major General Bello Sarkin Yaki, the ex-Coordinator of the Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser, is the nominee from Kebbi State.

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustafa, is from Adamawa, while Alhaji Falalu Bawale is from Katsina State.

Retired Brig General Ibrahim Bolakala Agbab, former Chief of Staff, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, is from Kwara State, while Maj General John Seyina Malu(rtd), former Chief of Defence Standards and Evaluation, is from Benue. Former IGP Usman Alkali Baba is from Yobe State.

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