Northern Governors Unanimously Endorse State Police, Call for Six-Month Mining Suspension
In a decisive move to address the protracted security challenges plaguing the region, the Northern States Governors’ Forum has formally thrown its weight behind the establishment of state-controlled police forces. Concurrently, the forum has issued a stark recommendation to the federal government: impose an immediate six-month suspension on all mining activities within the region. This dual-pronged strategy emerges from an emergency meeting where governors cited illegal mining as a significant financier of the rampant kidnappings, banditry, and general lawlessness that have stifled socio-economic progress.
The governors’ resolution underscores a growing consensus that Nigeria’s centralized policing model is inadequate for the country’s diverse and complex security landscape. They argue that a decentralized structure would enable more responsive, intelligence-driven, and localized interventions to threats. This push for state police coincides with heightened concerns from various quarters about public safety; for instance, following recent abductions, Yobe CP has reiterated commitments to community policing strategies, highlighting the localized nature of the security fight. The call also resonates beyond the north, as security concerns are national, with figures like Arteta concerned players’ welfare and safety in other contexts, reflecting the pervasive anxiety.
Illegal Mining: The Financial Engine of Instability
A critical focus of the forum’s deliberation was the nefarious role of unregulated mining. The governors presented evidence suggesting that proceeds from illegal mineral extraction are directly funneled into procuring sophisticated weapons for criminal gangs. The proposed half-year moratorium is designed to serve as a critical reset period, allowing for a comprehensive audit of mining licenses, the identification of illicit operations, and the strengthening of regulatory frameworks. This move is seen as essential to cutting off a major lifeline for insurgents and bandits, thereby complementing kinetic security operations.
This policy stance on mining finds parallels in actions taken by other states to enforce order and reclaim control over resources. Notably, the Kano govt revokes land titles and permits when public interest is deemed at stake, demonstrating a similar assertiveness in governance. The northern governors’ request aligns with this trend of subnational entities taking proactive, if not drastic, measures to safeguard their territories and economic assets from exploitation.
Economic Implications and the Broader National Context
The recommendations, however, are not made in an economic vacuum. A sustained mining suspension could have ripple effects on raw material supply and export revenues. This comes at a sensitive time for the Nigerian economy, where the manufacturing sector tops the list of industries struggling with forex scarcity and high input costs, heavily influenced by the volatile dollar naira exchange rate. Any disruption in domestic mineral sourcing could further strain this critical sector, highlighting the delicate balance between securing the nation and stabilizing its economy.
Furthermore, the instability in the north has long been a deterrent to investment, affecting agricultural output and discouraging the very industrial growth needed for diversification. The governors posit that restoring lasting security is a non-negotiable prerequisite for economic revival. They contend that the short-term economic sacrifice of a mining pause is a necessary investment to dismantle criminal infrastructures, ultimately paving the way for sustainable development. Stabilizing the region is crucial for national economic health, as a secure environment would positively influence the dollar naira exchange rate by improving investor confidence and boosting productive sectors.
In conclusion, the Northern Governors’ Forum has presented a bold, interconnected policy framework linking resource governance directly to national security. Their advocacy for state police and a mining moratorium represents a significant shift towards demanding greater subnational autonomy in tackling unique regional crises. As these proposals are forwarded to the National Economic Council and the Federal Government for deliberation, the nation watches to see if this strategic approach will gain the traction needed to alter the security trajectory of the region and, by extension, the country. The outcomes will undoubtedly have profound implications, from the streets where citizens fear abductions, as the Yobe CP and other commands battle, to the highest levels of economic policy where the performance of the manufacturing sector tops the agenda for national recovery.
