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To Curb Insecurity, Northern Governors Propose 6-Month Ban on Mining, Support State Police
The 19 northern governors and traditional rulers yesterday urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to suspend mining for six months in the region as part of measures in tackling banditry and halting criminal networks exploiting the sector.
The leaders, who resolved to set up N1 billion monthly Security Trust Fund, also reaffirmed their support for state police.
The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council converged on the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, for deliberations on the rising insurgency that has devastated the region.
In recent months, only a few of the 19 states in the North were spared of banditry and insurgency.
The governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, who read the communique at the end of the meeting, said northern leaders have identified illegal mining as a major driver of insecurity, fuelling armed groups, financing criminal gangs and destabilising rural communities.
They urged the President to mandate the minister of Solid Minerals to subject all mining licences to a six-month revalidation audit.
Yahaya, who chairs the NGSF, said the forum expressed deep concern about recent killings and mass abductions in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano states, as well as renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe, and condoled with the affected families.
The forum lauded President Tinubu for the prompt rescue operations that led to release of some abducted children, and the security agencies for battling insurgents and bandits.
Yahaya said the region is united in backing every decisive step to crush the criminal elements.
He said the governors and monarchs endorsed the push for state police, urging lawmakers from the North to move swiftly to actualise the constitutional amendments required for its operations.
“The forum collectively resolved to work closely with the Federal Government under President Tinubu to turn the tide and ensure lasting peace and stability for our region and the nation,” he added.
To strengthen regional security coordination, Yahaya said the forum approved creation of a Northern Security Trust Fund, to be financed by a N1billion monthly contribution from each state and local government, deducted at source under an agreed framework.
He said the fund, with the proposed mining suspension, would disrupt key revenue channels for armed groups, boost law-enforcement capability, and support a unified security response in the 19 states.
Yahaya said underdevelopment, illiteracy, climate change, unemployment and poor resource management should be addressed in parallel with military responses.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani said the centralised policing model was grossly inadequate for a nation of over 230 million people and vast ungoverned spaces.
Sani hailed Yahaya’s leadership and lauded other governors for their determination to safeguard their states despite mounting challenges.
He praised traditional rulers for their stabilising presence, describing their wisdom as crucial at this fragile moment.
The Kaduna governor warned against what he called a “troubling trend” of politicising insecurity, accusing some opposition leaders of amplifying fear for partisan advantage.
Sani said: “We must resist this behaviour. We have a President who understands the North, values the North, and consistently demonstrates respect for our perspectives.”
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, who spoke on behalf of the monarchs, urged the governors to “double their efforts” and unite against the worsening security and other socio-economic maladies.
He said: “As leaders, we need to really tell ourselves the truth. But I want to assure you — we are 100 per cent with you in this drive to make the North a better place, because we don’t have any other place to be.”
Abducted Kwara monarch, six others out of bandits’ custody
Kidnapped Ojibara of Bayagan community in Ifelodun Local Government of Kwara State Alhaji Kamilu Salami has regained freedom.
The monarch and six others escaped from the bandits’ den, it was learnt.
The monarch’s abductors earlier demanded N150 million ransom.
It was gathered that the monarch and six other abductees from the neighbouring community were able to escape following an attack launched on the bandits by the vigilantes, who flooded the forests.
A source said: “The vigilante team launched an attack on the bandits in the forests and engaged them in a gun duel around Eku Idaji, close to Igbaja.
“Although, the Baale and the six other escapees are yet to arrive in the community, they have made contact with members of the community who confirmed what happened.”
Gunmen kidnap farmer in Eruku again
Four gunmen at the weekend attacked Eruku, Ekiti Local Government again, and abducted a farmer, simply identified as Mr Aasaru.
The latest attack on Eruku is the second in a month and occurred barely a week after the Federal Government secured release of 38 abducted members of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in the community.
It was gathered that the bandits attacked Aasaru in a farm on the road leading to Koro.
Kwara State Police Command’s spokesperson, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi confirmed the development.
She said: “Police operatives from Eruku Division received a complaint on Sunday that four armed men invaded a farm on Koro Road, Eruku, about 1230hours, and abducted Aasanru, aged 40.
“Upon receipt of the report, a joint team of police, military personnel and local vigilante members was deployed in the area for an intensive search and rescue operation.”
She said efforts were on to secure release of the abducted farmer.
‘Fed Govt to expose terrorism financiers, tighten border security’
Identities of terrorists and their financiers are to be made public by the Federal Government, Presidential aide Daniel Bwala has said.
This is part of sweeping security measures to disrupt funding networks sustaining violent groups in the country, Bwala, special adviser to the President on Public Communication, said during a chat on a national television monitored in Lagos.
He was answering questions on issues about Nigeria-US collaboration on the battle against terror, surge in attacks and the steps being taken to contain rising insecurity.
Bwala, who noted that terrorism has evolved into a threat that extends beyond national borders, said the government was working on exposing those behind terror financing.
According to him, the President has taken “far-reaching and tough decisions” to cripple the financial backbone of terrorists.
“The lifeline of all terrorist activities is finance. When you cut the finance from them, it dies naturally. Previous administrations knew the financiers but were either unwilling or unable to act. This President is not going to tolerate that.
“In the next few days, Nigerians will know who the terrorists are, and those funding them.”
Bwala noted that terror groups operating often wield sophisticated weapons, surveillance drones and military fatigues, which clearly point to established financing channels in and outside the country.
He referenced the U.S. strategy that defeated ISIS by blocking its financial supply lines, arguing that Nigeria must adopt a similar approach.
Bwala said strengthening security along Nigeria’s porous borders was critical, noting that terrorists moving from the Sahel rely heavily on uncontrolled routes to transport arms, fighters and illicit funds.
Four Northern Governors paying above N70,000 minimum wage
How much shame can Northern governors endure?
He added that recent attacks on schools, religious centres and remote communities have reinforced the need for a shift in strategy.
According to him, terrorists now target schools and children, prompting revival of the “Safe Schools Initiative” under Ministry of Finance.
Religious bodies, he said, have also been advised to strengthen internal security vigilance.
On cooperation with the U.S., Bwala said Nigeria is seeking intelligence-based support rather than foreign boots on the ground.
“If you bring foreign troops who don’t understand our terrain or asymmetric warfare, they will be killed like chickens,” he said.
Instead, the government wants advanced drone systems, satellite imagery, technical surveillance and community-based intelligence to drive more effective operations.
Bwala linked the recent rise in terror activities to two major theories:
“Attempts by foreign interests to justify military intervention in Nigeria; and political sabotage ahead of future elections aimed at destabilising the government.”
He added that criminal elements in communities have also taken advantage of the situation, while propaganda networks, including AI-generated fake news and cloned voices, were being deployed to fuel panic.
Despite these challenges, he said global partners recognise Nigeria’s broader strategy and are willing to support efforts to dismantle the financing, recruitment and movement of terrorists in the country.
Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) have partnered to strengthen security in schools as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to prevent terrorist infiltration.
The partnership was formalised during a visit to UBEC by Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke.
According to NAF spokeman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the CAS stressed the need for stronger ties between security agencies and education authorities to safeguard learning environments, especially in vulnerable areas.
Nigerian Politics Analysis
He said Air Marshal Aneke welcomed deeper cooperation under UBEC’s Safe School Programme to improve monitoring, accountability and protection of basic education facilities.
The CAS also highlighted NAF’s contribution to secure an inclusive learning through its 20 primary and 13 secondary schools, adding that the service was upgrading facilities, improving digital literacy and supporting teacher development.
He listed priority areas for partnership, including infrastructure support for NAF schools, joint teacher training, integration into UBEC’s digital education platforms and strengthened quality assurance.
Air Marshal Aneke noted that enhanced collaboration with UBEC would boost deployment of safe-school technologies and modern learning systems.
UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, welcomed the partnership, lauding NAF’s role in national development.
She said no education system can thrive without safety, and pledged the commission’s commitment to technical cooperation that improves school security, learning outcomes and resilience in the basic education sector.
Police intercept French, Arabic speaking migrants in Nasarawa
Nasarawa State Police Command has intercepted several foreign nationals, mostly Malians, allegedly trafficked into the state under the guise of job opportunities abroad.
Commissioner of Police Shetima Jauro Mohammed told reporters in Lafia that the migrants spoke only French and Arabic. He said intelligence showed that they were brought into Orange Market, Mararaba, Karu Local Government, where they were held for about a week.
According to him, about 10:40 am on November 30, operatives acting on credible information raided a bungalow in the area and rescued 32 men and seven women.
He said the victims were Malian nationals, except one Ivorian, adding that they were lured by a Malian, identified as Abdullahi Berter, who promised to help them secure jobs in France but instead trafficked them into Nigeria.
The suspect, who reportedly instructed them to bring in more recruits for an unspecified operation, is at large. A manhunt has been launched for him and his accomplices.
The commissioner said the rescued victims would be handed over to Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation.
Mohammed also announced the arrest of a suspected kidnapper in Kertyo Village, Obi Local Government. He said operatives, while acting on intelligence, arrested Abubakar Adamu of Adudu District, Awe council, adding that he led detectives to his Ruga, where an AK-47 rifle and 11 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered.
He is under investigation and will be charged to court.
Police kill three bandits, foil planned attack in Abuja
It was end of the road yesterday for three bandits in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Three of the gang members, who were said to have planned to attack some communities in Abuja were neutralised by the police command in a coordinated ambush on their hideouts in Kwali.
Intelligence reports showed that the criminals had concluded plans to strike the community on or before December 1, prompting Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, to direct the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to intensify operations and track the syndicate’s movement.
FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said the operation began after officers traced and arrested a key conspirator, Sani Mohammed Umar, also known as Boko, about 2:11 p.m. on November 30.
His mobile phone, suspected to be the primary device used to coordinate the gang’s operations, was recovered from him.
Though the police did not name the specific community targeted for the planned attack, Adeh said: “Investigations confirmed that the suspect belonged to the gang responsible for the previous attacks and kidnappings in ACO and Dupa and Gwagwalada, as well as multiple robbery incidents in Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali.
He also admitted that his gang members were waiting for him at Gada Biyu Hills, Kwali, where they had converged on to begin their next planned community attack”.
She explained that the Anti-Kidnapping team advanced into the forest about 11:01 p.m., reached the gang’s meeting point, and laid an ambush.
Adeh continued: “On sighting the operatives, the bandits opened fire. The Police responded decisively, engaging the criminals in a fierce 30-minute gun duel, during which three of the bandits were neutralised, while others escaped with ‘gunshot wounds”.
Items recovered from the bandits include three AK-47 rifles, three magazines, and 33 rounds of live ammunition.
The police said a joint operation involving operatives and troops of 176 Battalion is ongoing, with teams combing the forest and blocking all escape routes. Medical facilities in the area have also been placed on the alert to report persons coming with bullet wounds.
The commissioner hailed the gallantry of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely information.
Senate postpones National Security Summit ‘indefinitely’
The Senate has postponed its planned National Security Summit, scheduled to begin in Abuja, yesterday.
The Senate Planning Committee on the summit, at the weekend, wrote to invitees, notifying them of the postponement.
Although some sources suggested the summit might hold in January, there was no official confirmation.
Senate spokesman Adeyemi Adaramodu is yet to comment on the development.
•Explains how PFIPC was allocated money in the budget.
The Budget Office of the Federation (BOF) yesterday explained that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), which the presidency declared as fake and is currently being investigated by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, had its origin in the last administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Director-General of the Budget Office, Mr. Tanimu Yakubu who provided the explanation in a statement, after appearing before members of the House of Representatives, in Abuja said the PFIPC’s institutional origin was premised on the Presidential Economic Advisory Council inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari on October 9, 2019. He also explained how the fake agency was allocated money in the 2026 budget.
His words, “PEAC/PFIPC did not enter the 2026 Budget merely because it asked for funds. The Council had its origin in the Presidential Economic Advisory Council inaugurated during the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari on October 9, 2019. By the time preparation of the 2026 Budget began, official instruments had already been issued by the institutions charged with those functions.
“The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation had assigned an administrative code to the PFIPC. The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation had approved an authorised establishment and a recruitment waiver. The applicable public-service salary structure also existed. These instruments did not come from the Budget Office. They came to it.
“The Budget Office did not create the Council. It did not assign its code. It did not approve its establishment. It did not grant its recruitment waiver. It received official instruments and did what the law required of it: it measured their fiscal effect.”
Mr. Tanimu further explained that the Council submitted a personnel estimate of N3.850 billion for the 2026 Fiscal Year and that his Office had to reduce that figure to N802.978 million, using the authorised establishment, the approved recruitment waiver, the applicable public-service salary structure and the extant costing methodology
According to the D-G, “Council later submitted a personnel estimate of N3,850,935,000.00. That estimate did not form the basis of the Budget Office’s recommendation. The Budget Office disregarded it and made an independent calculation using only the authorised establishment, the approved recruitment waiver, the applicable public-service salary structure and the extant costing methodology.
“That calculation produced N802,978,783.00. This was not a concession to the Council. It was the Budget Office’s own fiscal judgment. It was the amount placed in the Executive Budget proposal and later appropriated.
Mr Yakubu said that the Council could not receive the approved funds for personnel because its promoter, Prince Adeyemi Adeniyi could not secure Financial Clearance, an instrument that confirms that necessary fiscal and regulatory had been met.
He said, “Financial Clearance is the point at which a personnel provision may begin to acquire legal force as expenditure. It is not a routine letter. It is the confirmation that the fiscal and regulatory conditions for recruitment have been met. Until it is issued, the figure remains in the budget. It does not create staff. It does not open payroll. It does not produce salary. The Budget Office did not issue Financial Clearance for PEAC/PFIPC because the conditions were incomplete.
“The 2026 Appropriation Bill did not become law until Presidential Assent on 31 March 2026. Before that date, the Budget Office could cost the proposal. It could not grant final Financial Clearance against a bill that had not yet become law.
“After assent, a further condition remained outstanding. The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission had not confirmed that the proposed staffing and remuneration arrangements complied with its prescribed template and the approved public-service compensation framework.
“The Budget Office could calculate the cost. It could not open the gate. There was therefore no Financial Clearance. There was no lawful recruitment. There was no payroll enrollment. There was no salary payment.”
The D-G added, “The personnel provision was N802,978,783.00. It represented 61.63 per cent of the total appropriation of N1,302,978,783.00. It has sometimes been described as though the Council could have received the whole amount and spent it at will. That description is false.
“Personnel appropriations are not paid to agencies as lump sums. After every legal condition has been met, salaries are paid month by month. The money moves electronically into the designated bank accounts of verified employees enrolled on the Federal Government payroll.
“The institution does not receive the annual personnel provision as cash under its control. Even in a lawful process, the Council would not have received N802,978,783.00 in one payment. The money would have gone over twelve months to individual employees. That process never began. No Financial Clearance was issued. No recruitment took place. No payroll record was created. No salary became due. Not one kobo of the personnel provision could lawfully have been drawn. Not one kobo was drawn. There is no personnel expenditure to recover because there was no personnel expenditure.”
The PFIPC controversy became public on June 11, 2026, when the Chief of Staff to the president, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, declared the Council as fake and petitioned the law enforcement agencies.
However, at a press conference on June 26, the Director General of the PFIPC, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi faulted the presidency’s disclaimer. He alleged that Gbajabiamila received N400 million through a proxy and demanded an additional N200 million to secure his appointment — an allegation which the Chief of Staff denied and has sued him to court claiming N15b as damages for defamation. Adeyemi is currently in custody after he was arrested by the police in connection with the PFIPC scandal and alleged forgery.
Before his arrest, Adeyemi claimed he personally approached officials of the budget office to seek the inclusion of the Council in the federal government’s budget.
Recently, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) confirmed that it opened two domiciliary accounts linked to the PFIPC on the directive of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF).
The apex bank, however, said the accounts, one denominated in United States dollars and the other in British pounds sterling, were never funded or operated.
United States President Donald Trump has commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as his decisive leadership in tackling terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria, particularly attacks targeting Christian communities.
Trump conveyed the praise in a letter dated July 6, 2026, the contents of which were made public on Wednesday in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
In the letter, titled “President Trump lauds President Tinubu’s decisive leadership against terrorists,” the US President applauded Tinubu’s efforts to confront security challenges and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations.
“Thank you for your thoughtful letter. Your kind words mean a great deal to me, and I appreciate your decisive leadership on behalf of the Nigerian people.
“I applaud your resolve to tackle the issues plaguing your nation, especially the violence affecting Christian communities, and it is a true honour to stand with you in the fight against terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous,” Trump wrote.
Trump described the relationship between the United States and Nigeria as increasingly important amid growing security challenges across West Africa.
“The United States-Nigeria relationship is crucial at a time when conflict has spread across West Africa and around the world. We both share a mutual goal of confronting terrorism in all its forms, and our historic US-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap has established a robust framework to accomplish this feat,” he stated.
The US President also highlighted ongoing defence cooperation between both countries, noting that American Special Operations Forces had been deployed to assist Nigeria’s military.
“I am proud to have deployed the United States Special Operations Forces—among the most elite military units anywhere in the world—to equip the brave men and women in the Armed Forces of Nigeria with the skills, tools and intelligence they need to protect your homeland and ensure the safety and security of citizens, particularly those of faith who have been under attack.
“I look forward to our continued discussions over the course of my Presidency,” Trump added.
According to the Presidency, Nigeria and the United States have expanded security cooperation in recent months following the establishment of a Joint Working Group co-chaired by the National Security Advisers of both countries.
The collaboration has centred on intelligence sharing, military training and coordinated operations against terrorist groups.
The statement noted that one of the key outcomes of the partnership was the joint operation carried out on May 16 against ISIS hideouts in the Lake Chad region, which reportedly led to the killing of the group’s senior leader, Abubakar Al-Minoki, along with several of his lieutenants.
The Presidency also disclosed that the US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Frank Garcia, visited Abuja last week, where he held talks with senior Nigerian officials and pledged to deepen bilateral cooperation in security and other strategic sectors.
…Usman, Abba plead mercy
A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a man who claimed to be 50 years old and father of 19 children, Mahmud Usman, to life imprisonment after pleading guilty to offences of kidnapping for ransom, terrorism, among others.
Usman (also known as Abu Bara’a, Abbas and Mukhtar), described by the prosecution as the self-styled Emir of Ansaru, was sentenced, along with his co-defendant, Abubakar Abba (also known as Mahmud al-Nigeri and Malam Mamuda), who is said to be the group’s deputy leader and chief of staff.
Usman and Abba were arraigned earlier this year on a 32-count charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The two are said to be among the key terrorist leaders who were behind the Oriire, Oyo State school kidnap and demanded to be released by the government.
During their arraignment, Usman pleaded guilty to a count of illegal mining for funding terrorism/arms, and was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment.
He pleaded not guilty to the other 31 counts, while his co-defendant, Abba, pleaded not guilty to all the 32 counts.
On July 9, however, Abba informed the court of his intention to withdraw his earlier not guilty plea, but needed some time to consult with his lawyer, a request Justice Emeka Nwite granted and adjourned till July 20.
On Monday, both defendants pleaded guilty to the 32 counts when they were read to them, following which Justice Nwite convicted them accordingly.
While appealing to the court to be lenient in sentencing the defendants, their lawyer, Bala Dakun, said by pleading guilty, his clients now appreciate the gravity of the offence they admitted to committing.
Dakun said the convicts’ guilty pleas were not intended to trivialise the offence or justify their conduct, but a show of remorse and repentance, while seeking mercy from the court.
He said the convicts saved the time of the court and the resources and time the prosecution would have deployed in bringing witnesses to the court and proving their case beyond reasonable doubt.
Dakun told the court that Usman is 50 years old, with 19 children and the sole provider of the family.
He said the second defendant, Abba, is 35 years old, with three children and a wife.
The defence lawyer said both defendants suffer from arthritis and ulcers.
Dakun said his clients promised to work with security agencies by providing them information about the operation, financing and network of the terrorist groups in the country.
He said the convicts should be granted amnesty as has been done for some repentant Boko Haram members, who have been rehabilitated.
With the permission of the court, Usman spoke in English and said he felt remorseful and that they admitted the offences, for the court to have mercy on them and their dependants, who will suffer in their absence.
Usman, who admitted having 19 children, said he suffers from bad health and that he was planning to return to school before he was arrested.
After listening to Dakun and Usman, Justice Nwite, who rose briefly, returned to hand out the sentences. He sentenced the two to life imprisonment in relation to counts 30 and 31.
The judge also sentenced them to 20 years, without an option of fine, on counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 32.
The two defendants were handed 25 years in respect of count 11, while only the second defendant (Abba) got 15 years in respect of count 10.
Justice Nwite ordered that the sentences shall run concurrently from the date of their arrest.
The defendants were arrested by the prosecuting agency (DSS) in separate operations between May and July 2025.
They were charged with various offences including terrorism and terrorism financing, kidnapping for ransom, illegal mining, funding terrorism, fabricating Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), among other charges.
The two defendants were equally accused of coordinating sleeper cells, attacks, and maintaining ties with terrorist groups in the Sahel/Maghreb region.
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