Northern governors have declared that despite recent gains in tackling insecurity, the region remains on edge, warning that sustained and intensified efforts are critical to prevent a relapse.

The position was made known on Monday in Abuja during a meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), where Chairman and Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, said security remains the bedrock of development.

“While we have recorded measurable improvement, there is absolutely no room for complacency,” Yahaya said. “We must consolidate on these gains by neutralising emerging threats.”

The forum highlighted the Northern States Security Trust Fund as a key strategy in strengthening regional security, with each state expected to contribute N1 billion monthly.

Yahaya commended states including Nasarawa, Gombe, Borno, Kebbi and Kaduna for meeting their obligations, while urging others to expedite payments to ensure the initiative’s success.

Beyond funding, the governors renewed their call for the establishment of state police, insisting that Nigeria’s current security structure is inadequate for addressing localised threats.

“The complexity of our security challenges requires intelligence-driven, local solutions that only state policing can provide,” Yahaya stated.

The forum also linked insecurity to deeper socio-economic issues, warning that poverty, unemployment and illiteracy continue to fuel instability across the region.

It called for urgent and coordinated investments in education and human capital, particularly to address the growing number of out-of-school children.

With the rainy season approaching, the governors also raised concerns over potential farmer-herder clashes and expressed support for federal livestock reforms aimed at reducing conflicts.

The meeting ended with a call for unity among northern leaders and patience from citizens, as the forum stressed the need for decisive action to meet rising public expectations.