Northern Governors Unveil New Security Plan, Demand Ban on Mining Activities

Northern Governors Unveil New Security Plan, Demand Ban on Mining Activities

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, says Northern governors have adopted far-reaching measures to confront escalating insecurity, including contributing N1bn each monthly for one year and pushing for a temporary halt to mining activities across the region.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Sule said the North can no longer rely solely on the Federal Government, stressing that the worsening security situation has reached a point where regional leaders must “take it upon ourselves” to act.

According to him, the governors’ collective contribution amounts to N19bn monthly, which will be channelled into deploying technology, training vigilante groups, procuring equipment and strengthening logistics needed to secure the region.

He explained that the decisions were reached during the joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Leaders Council held at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, amid rising banditry and kidnapping.

Sule said the forum also examined the strong link between illegal mining and insecurity. Since mining is under federal control, the governors resolved to ask President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to suspend mining in the North pending a comprehensive verification of mineral licences.

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He noted that many individuals holding exploration licences have illegally proceeded to full-scale mining, fuelling the rise of criminal groups around mineral-rich sites. He added that minerals such as lead, zinc and lithium attract quick-money seekers and armed groups.

The forum appointed former Plateau SSG, Ezekiel Gomos, as Director-General to coordinate the new regional security architecture. Sule said illegal mining had become rampant in Nasarawa, prompting a new law mandating the prosecution of anyone found with minerals without authorisation.

Citing differences across states, he referenced the Zamfara governor’s concerns that gold-mining areas had become highly dangerous, with reports of helicopters allegedly visiting restricted sites.

Sule argued that suspending licences would allow authorities deploy technology for effective monitoring—something complicated by claims of valid licences.

On kidnapping, Sule rejected suggestions that Northern leaders had failed, insisting that many critics do not understand the daily pressure governors face.

“You can’t run a government based on what people say on the streets,” he said, noting that kidnapping existed previously in the South-South between 2003 and 2009 and later spread to the North. He expressed confidence that the menace would eventually decline.

Reacting to news of the rescue of 100 kidnapped children in Niger State, Sule described it as “cheery news” and praised President Tinubu, the Niger State government and security agencies.

He stressed that beyond rescuing victims, the real priority is preventing attacks entirely, adding that Northern governors, the federal government and security agencies are working tirelessly behind the scenes.

Sule also confirmed that the Nigerian Governors’ Forum has agreed to support the special seats for women bill in the National Assembly. He highlighted Nasarawa’s leadership in women inclusion, with the first female vice-chancellor, female chief judge and several female directors.

On infrastructure, the governor announced federal approval for the construction of the Nyanya–Mararaba road with flyovers. The project, costing N40bn, is slated for completion within 12–14 months. The state has already paid N19bn as initial deposit, made possible through recent federal revenue reforms.

Northern Governors Unveil New Security Plan, Demand Ban on Mining Activities