Northern governors and traditional rulers on Monday called for a six-month suspension of mining activities across the region, warning that illegal mining has become a major driver of insecurity.

The resolution formed part of a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna.

The meeting, chaired by Gombe State Governor and NSGF Chairman, Muhammadu Yahaya, had in attendance all 19 northern governors as well as chairmen of the region’s traditional councils.

The Forum voiced deep concern over the rising wave of killings, abductions, and insurgent activities in the North, citing recent incidents in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano states, along with renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe.

“The Forum extends its deepest condolences to the governments and people of the affected states,” the communiqué read, describing the attacks on citizens, including schoolchildren, as “unacceptable tragedies” that demand urgent coordinated action.

It commended President Bola Tinubu for what it called the Federal Government’s “firm and decisive response” to recent abductions and insurgency threats, particularly the rescue of some kidnapped pupils. The governors also applauded the sacrifices of security agencies confronting the crises.

“We resolved to renew our support for every step taken by the President and Commander-in-Chief to take the fight to insurgents’ enclaves and end the criminality,” the Forum stated.

A key highlight of the meeting was a renewed call for the creation of state police. Governors and traditional rulers insisted that decentralised policing is now unavoidable if the region must effectively tackle persistent insecurity.

“The Forum reaffirms its wholehearted support for the establishment of state police,” the communiqué said, urging federal and state legislators from the region to expedite legislative action.

The governors warned that illegal mining has evolved into a major source of revenue for armed groups, fuelling violence across several states.

As part of corrective measures, they urged President Tinubu to direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to impose a six-month suspension of all mining activities to enable a comprehensive audit and revalidation of licences.

“We strongly recommend a suspension of mining exploration for six months to allow proper audit and to curb the menace of artisanal illegal mining,” the Forum stated.

To strengthen the region’s security architecture, the Forum announced plans to establish a Northern Security Trust Fund. Under the proposed arrangement, each state and its local governments will contribute ₦1 billion monthly, deducted at source under an agreed framework.

According to the communiqué, the fund will support joint operations, intelligence-led interventions, and coordinated security responses across the region.

Reiterating their commitment to unity and collective responsibility, the governors and traditional rulers stressed that cooperation remains the North’s strongest tool.

“Only through unity, peer review, and cooperation can we overcome the pressing challenges before us,” the Forum declared.

The Forum agreed to reconvene at a later date.