The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has commended the 19 northern governors for establishing the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund, describing the initiative as a significant step toward strengthening efforts to combat insecurity across the region.
The commendation was contained in a statement issued on Friday in Kaduna by the Chairman of the ACF Board of Trustees, Bashir Dalhatu.
Dalhatu described the trust fund as a landmark regional intervention designed to mobilise additional resources to tackle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
He said the initiative reflected the governors’ recognition that addressing the region’s security challenges requires collective action, innovation and sustained commitment alongside ongoing federal security efforts.
According to him, years of insecurity have devastated communities, disrupted agricultural activities and weakened commerce, making the restoration of peace and security critical to economic recovery and sustainable development.
Dalhatu said the effective management of the fund would strengthen intelligence gathering, surveillance, logistics, communications, technology deployment and community-based security initiatives.
He added that the intervention would also provide support for victims of violence while enhancing ongoing security operations across the region.
The ACF chairman congratulated members of the fund’s Board of Trustees on their appointments and expressed confidence in their ability to provide transparent and effective leadership.
He particularly congratulated the Co-Chairmen, Yayale Ahmed and retired Gen. Martin Luther Agwai, saying their wealth of experience in public administration and national security would strengthen the board’s capacity to deliver on its mandate.
Dalhatu urged the northern governors to sustain the political will behind the initiative and ensure the transparent management of the fund.
He stressed that the trust fund should remain focused on restoring peace, protecting lives and creating an enabling environment for economic growth and social development across the region.
Reaffirming the forum’s support for genuine efforts to end insecurity, Dalhatu said the people of Northern Nigeria deserve to live in peace, cultivate their farms without fear and conduct legitimate businesses in a secure environment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 19 northern governors on Wednesday inaugurated the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund and pledged a monthly contribution of N1 billion from member states to strengthen regional security.
The decision was reached at a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held in Kaduna.
Source:NAN
