Northern Governors, Traditional Rulers Urge NASS to Fast-Track State Police Legislation
Northern state governors and traditional rulers have unanimously thrown their weight behind the establishment of state police, urging the National Assembly to expedite the legal processes required to make it a reality.
The call was made during a high-level meeting in Kaduna, convened against the backdrop of rising insecurity and renewed terrorist attacks in parts of Northern Nigeria. The leaders believe that decentralizing policing will significantly enhance the region’s ability to respond to security threats.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the Northern State Governors Forum (NSGF) acknowledged the importance of bipartisan cooperation and peer review in tackling the developmental and security challenges confronting the North and the country at large. The forum also commended President Bola Tinubu for his “sustained commitment” to addressing insecurity and infrastructure gaps in the region.
Gombe State Governor and NSGF Chairman, Inuwa Yahaya, who read the communiqué, said the governors plan to engage the Nigerian Governors Forum to develop a framework for supporting federal security forces. He also revealed plans to establish inter-state platforms for joint border surveillance and to strengthen local security initiatives.
Governor Yahaya expressed deep concern over recent escalations in terrorist attacks across Plateau, Benue, Bauchi, Borno, and Yobe states. “These mindless acts of violence against innocent citizens reinforce the urgency to intensify our security efforts,” he stated.
While commending President Tinubu’s infrastructure initiatives, including the Kaduna-Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway, and the AKK gas pipeline, Yahaya emphasized the need for proactive measures to mitigate seasonal conflicts such as farmer-herder clashes and climate-related threats like floods and drought.
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In his welcome address, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani praised the collaboration between the governors and traditional leaders. “Despite our diversity, we have found common ground to build consensus on critical issues,” he said. He advocated for the development of a regional roadmap for peace and development, while applauding President Tinubu’s commitment to completing abandoned infrastructure projects critical to Northern Nigeria’s economy.
The Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, reaffirmed the resolve of traditional leaders to support efforts toward restoring peace. He condemned the rising insecurity and called for unity and decisive action from all stakeholders.
“Every life matters. We must abandon divisive narratives and recognize that a criminal anywhere is a threat to us all,” the Sultan stated. While acknowledging efforts made so far, he stressed that “as long as people continue to be killed, the perception will remain that nothing is being done.”
He urged the federal government to do more to reassure citizens and end the cycle of violence, emphasizing that the challenges in the North are of national importance and require urgent collective action.
The joint meeting was attended by governors from Nasarawa, Gombe, Niger, Kaduna, Kebbi, Katsina, Kogi, Yobe, Plateau, Taraba, Adamawa, Sokoto, and Jigawa states, alongside 19 prominent traditional rulers from across the region.
A separate meeting held on Friday night brought together governors from the seven Northwest states—Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara—where discussions focused on insecurity, youth unemployment, and drug abuse.
Chairman of the Northwest Governors’ Forum and Katsina State Governor, Umar Dikko Radda, described the discussions as productive. “We had detailed presentations from the Northwest Development Commission and the Federal Medical University Funtua, and we agreed on coordinated efforts to tackle regional challenges,” he said.
Governor Uba Sani affirmed that the governors are working closely with development partners to implement sustainable solutions to the region’s pressing issues.
By PRNigeria
