The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Wednesday called on all northern stakeholders to close ranks against the scourge of banditry, terrorism and kidnapping, declaring that security is a collective responsibility.
Speaking at the joint meeting of Northern traditional rulers and governors in Kaduna, the Sultan said the region could only overcome insecurity through unity and collaboration among governments, security agencies, traditional institutions and citizens.
“Security is everybody’s responsibility. It’s not just for security agencies alone, or the governors alone, or traditional rulers alone. It’s everybody’s responsibility. We need to really come together and fight this menace of terrorism, abduction and whatever it is to the best of our ability,” he said.
He described the inauguration of the Board of Trustees to drive the North’s security intervention as a significant step towards finding lasting solutions to the region’s security challenges.
The Sultan said the board, made up of respected personalities from across the 19 northern states, would bring a practical approach to addressing insecurity.
“We’ve been talking and talking and talking through various papers. But today, with the inauguration of this committee, we believe we are ready to really start the job properly,” he said.
He added that the traditional institution would give the committee its full backing, assuring members that they could always rely on the support and local knowledge of traditional rulers.
“Reach out to us any time of the day you want to talk to us. We will give you free consultation. We know the people, we know where we live, and we are ready 100 per cent to walk hand in hand with you.”
The Sultan also stressed that the fight against insecurity must transcend religious and ethnic differences, saying unity remained the North’s greatest strength.
“This is a source of unity for us. It comes from all the 19 northern states to serve in one body. We believe once you are united, you will be more focused. Unity is the most important thing,” he added.
The sultan recalled that northern traditional rulers had consistently warned against violent extremism, noting that the council had submitted recommendations on tackling insecurity to the Northern Governors’ Forum as far back as 2014.
He expressed optimism that with unity, commitment and divine support, the region would overcome its security challenges.
The Northern governors had earlier appointed a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Yayale Ahmed, and former Chief of Defence Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai (retd) as co-chairmen of the Board of Trustees of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund (NNSTF).
The board was inaugurated on Wednesday in Kaduna during the meeting, with former Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya (rtd), and other prominent northern stakeholders appointed as members
The NNSTF was designed to mobilise resources, enhance security coordination and strengthen intelligence collaboration in support of federal security agencies.
Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, said the trust fund would provide a platform for mobilising resources, strengthening intelligence sharing and supporting security agencies in the fight against insecurity.
He described the inauguration of the board as the first major milestone in fulfilling the governors’ commitment to confronting the worsening security situation across the North.
“Today’s inauguration of the Board of Trustees marks the first major step towards actualising the forum’s commitment to tackling the ravaging insecurity across our region in a more organised, coordinated, sustainable and accountable manner,” Yahaya said.
The governor said the 19 states had earlier agreed in Kaduna and Abuja to establish the fund after recognising that the security challenges confronting the region required urgent and collective action.
While acknowledging the constitutional responsibility of the federal government for national security, Yahaya said northern states must complement federal efforts through improved intelligence gathering, community resilience and regional cooperation.
He warned that the fund must not become another bureaucratic structure but should deliver measurable improvements in security coordination, rapid response and protection of lives and property.
“Our people are looking for action, protection, stability and hope. The success of this fund will be measured by improvements in security coordination, intelligence sharing, rapid response and the protection of lives and property,” he said.
The governor disclosed that the 19 northern states and their local governments had agreed to contribute N1 billion monthly for one year to finance the initiative.
He urged states that were yet to fulfil their commitments to redeem their pledges, while charging members of the board to ensure transparency, accountability and prudent management of the funds.
Yahaya also reaffirmed the forum’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and commended ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture, including the proposed establishment of state police.
He, however, maintained that military operations alone would not end insecurity, stressing the need for greater investment in education, agriculture, youth empowerment, employment creation and skills acquisition.
