Northern Nigerian Leaders Propose Six-Month Mining Ban, ₦1 Billion Monthly Security Fund to Combat Insecurity

Northern Leaders Address Escalating Insecurity

In a decisive move to address the worsening security crisis gripping Northern Nigeria, governors and traditional rulers from the region have proposed a six-month ban on all mining activities and the establishment of a ₦1 billion monthly regional security fund. These measures were among the key resolutions reached during a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors' Forum (NSGF) and the Northern Traditional Rulers' Council held on Monday, December 1, 2025, at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna.

The leaders asserted that illegal mining has become a significant factor fueling insecurity by providing financial resources to criminal groups, including bandits and terrorists, operating across the North.

Proposed Mining Ban and Security Trust Fund

The proposed six-month suspension of mining activities is intended to allow for a comprehensive audit and revalidation of all mining licenses in consultation with state governments. This step aims to disrupt the revenue streams of armed groups and curb the menace of artisanal illegal mining.

To bolster regional security operations, the Northern leaders also approved the creation of a Northern Regional Security Trust Fund. Each of the 19 Northern states, along with their local governments, will contribute ₦1 billion monthly to this fund, with deductions made at source under an agreed framework. This fund is designed to provide sustainable financing for joint operations, intelligence-driven interventions, and coordinated security responses across the region.

Call for State Police and Condolences

During the meeting, the governors and traditional rulers reiterated their strong support for the establishment of state police, emphasizing that the current centralized policing model is inadequate for a nation of Nigeria's size and diverse security challenges. They urged federal and state lawmakers from the North to expedite constitutional amendments necessary for its actualization.

The Forum also extended its deepest condolences to the governments and people of states recently affected by violence, including Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kano, Borno, and Yobe, following recent killings, mass abductions, and renewed Boko Haram attacks. They commended the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for efforts in securing the release of some abducted children and for its ongoing fight against insecurity.

Context of Insecurity

The Northern region of Nigeria has been grappling with persistent security challenges, including banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and communal violence. Factors contributing to this instability include:

• Poverty and unemployment
• Illiteracy and lack of quality education
• Corruption and weak governance
• Competition over natural resources
• Porous borders and arms smuggling

The leaders stressed that these proposed measures are crucial to disrupting criminal networks and restoring peace and stability to the affected communities.