By Our Staff Reporter, Kaduna.

The Northern States Governors’ Forum has inaugurated a new Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund Board, appointing former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), and former Minister of Defence and ex-Head of Service, Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, as co-chairmen.

The inauguration was held on Wednesday at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, in what governors described as a major step toward a coordinated regional response to worsening insecurity across the 19 northern states.

The 19-member board is composed largely of retired senior military officers and former security chiefs drawn from across the region.

Members inaugurated include: 

Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya (rtd), former COAS – Sokoto, Usman Alkali Baba, former Inspector General of Police – Yobe,

Boss Mustapha, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation – Adamawa, 

Sen. Napoleon Bali (rtd), former AVM – Plateau, Hafiz Inuwa, former DIG – Jigawa, 

AVM Kabiru Aliyu (rtd) – Taraba, Prof. Usman Tar – Borno, Maj. Gen. A.M. Dikko (rtd) – Niger, AIG Sunday Babaji (rtd) – Gombe, AVM Farouk Omeiza Umar (rtd) – Kogi,

Maj. Gen. Muhammad Sani (rtd) – Kano,  Maj. Gen. Bello Sarkin Yaki (rtd) – Kebbi, Maj. Gen. John Malu (rtd) – Benue, Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Agbab (rtd) – Kwara and other nominees from remaining northern states 

Speaking at the event, Board Chairman Lt. Gen. Yahaya said the Trust Fund will provide strategic oversight to mobilise resources, enhance intelligence sharing, and coordinate operations against banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and cattle rustling.

He stressed that the board will “complement, not replace” the Federal Government and existing security agencies. 

“The Fund must be focused, responsive and credible. We will be judged not by the number of meetings we hold, but by the number of lives protected,” Yahaya said.

To fund operations, the governors resolved that each of the 19 northern states, alongside their local government areas, will contribute ₦1 billion monthly for 12 months to the Trust Fund.

The resolution received the backing of traditional rulers. The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, who spoke on behalf of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, described the initiative as a “long-overdue practical approach” to securing the region.

The move comes amid rising attacks by bandits and terrorists in the North West, North East and parts of the North Central, which have displaced thousands and disrupted farming and commerce.

Security analysts say the creation of the board signals a shift toward greater sub-national collaboration in Nigeria’s security architecture, with retired officers expected to leverage experience and networks to support federal efforts.

The Trust Fund is expected to begin operations immediately, with its first sitting slated for later this month in Kaduna.