Northern Governors Launch Security Trust Fund, Promise N1bn Monthly Support

Northern governors have inaugurated the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund as part of a regional push to respond to banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other security threats.

The governors met in Kaduna on Wednesday, where the board of trustees of the fund was unveiled. Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who chairs the Northern States Governors Forum, said insecurity across the region required coordinated action by the 19 northern states alongside federal security agencies.

Reports on the meeting said the governors pledged monthly support of N1bn for the fund. The money is expected to support security coordination, intelligence work and community level responses in the region.

The forum named former Chief of Defence Staff, retired Gen. Martin Luther Agwai, and former Defence Minister Mahmud Yayale Ahmed as co-chairmen of the board. Other retired military, police, customs and public service figures were also listed as members.

Yahaya said the fund was designed to mobilise resources and make the region’s security response more organised and accountable. He said federal authorities still carry the main responsibility for national security, but northern states had to provide support where the crisis directly affects their communities.

Sources: Punch, Vanguard, Daily Post