The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has commended the 19 Northern governors for establishing the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund (NNSTF), describing the initiative as a landmark regional response to the growing security challenges confronting Northern Nigeria.
The forum said the creation of the trust fund demonstrates the governors’ commitment to complementing the efforts of federal security agencies in tackling terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, communal violence and other criminal activities that have continued to threaten lives, livelihoods and economic development across the region.
In a statement issued in Kaduna on Friday, Chairman of the ACF Board of Trustees, Bashir Dalhatu, said the initiative reflects a shared understanding among Northern leaders that insecurity can only be addressed through sustained collaboration, adequate funding, innovation and stronger partnerships between governments, security agencies, traditional institutions and local communities.
Dalhatu described the trust fund as a strategic intervention that would mobilise additional financial resources to strengthen regional security architecture and improve the operational capacity of security agencies working across the North.
According to him, years of insecurity have inflicted enormous human and economic costs on the region, forcing thousands of residents to flee their communities, disrupting farming activities, discouraging investments, affecting interstate commerce and slowing overall economic growth.
He stressed that restoring peace remains critical to achieving food security, improving agricultural productivity, creating employment opportunities and attracting both local and foreign investments to Northern Nigeria.Africans & Diaspora
The ACF chairman expressed confidence that the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund would enhance intelligence gathering, surveillance operations, operational logistics, communication systems and the deployment of modern security technologies needed to combat emerging security threats.
He added that the initiative would also strengthen community-based security mechanisms, improve coordination among security agencies and provide assistance to victims of attacks, while supporting ongoing efforts to restore peace in troubled communities.
Dalhatu congratulated members of the newly inaugurated Board of Trustees of the trust fund, expressing optimism that they would provide transparent, accountable and effective leadership in managing the initiative.
He specifically congratulated the Co-Chairmen of the board, Yayale Ahmed and retired General Martin Luther Agwai, describing them as accomplished public servants whose extensive experience in governance, public administration and national security would strengthen public confidence in the management of the fund.
He urged the governors to sustain the political will that gave birth to the initiative by ensuring prudent utilisation of resources, strict accountability and transparency in all financial transactions.
According to him, the trust fund must remain focused on its core objectives of protecting lives and property, supporting security operations, rebuilding communities devastated by violence and creating an enabling environment for sustainable economic and social development.
“”The people of Northern Nigeria deserve to live peacefully, cultivate their farms without fear, carry out legitimate businesses safely and travel freely across the region without constant security concerns,” Dalhatu said.
He also reaffirmed the forum’s commitment to supporting credible efforts aimed at ending insecurity.Africans & Diaspora
The ACF’s endorsement follows the formal inauguration of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund by the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) in collaboration with the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council during a high-level meeting held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna.
At the meeting, the 19 Northern governors unanimously approved a monthly contribution of ₦1 billion from member states to finance the trust fund and strengthen regional efforts to combat insecurity.
The governors explained that the initiative would complement federal security operations through improved intelligence sharing, enhanced logistics, technological surveillance and stronger collaboration among states in addressing cross-border criminal activities.
The governors also reiterated the need for broader security reforms, including improved policing, enhanced intelligence coordination and greater investment in modern security infrastructure to address evolving threats across the region.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
