By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
Amid a persistent wave of killings and kidnappings across the region, the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has declared that security conditions in parts of Northern Nigeria have shown “measurable improvements.” The forum, however, cautioned against complacency and called for sustained funding to consolidate recent gains.
Speaking on Monday during the opening session of the forum’s meeting in Abuja, the NSGF Chairman and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Yahaya, reaffirmed the commitment of member states to strengthening regional security through the advancement of the Security Trust Fund.
Governor Yahaya disclosed that Nasarawa, Gombe, Borno, Kebbi, and Kaduna states have already begun fulfilling their agreed monthly contribution of N1 billion each to the Northern States Security Trust Fund, describing the development as a step in the right direction.
Reflecting on the region’s security landscape, Yahaya noted that coordinated actions by state governments, coupled with support from the Federal Government, have yielded positive changes.
“When we last met in December 2025, we were confronted with a deeply troubling security situation that demanded urgent, coordinated, and decisive action,” he said. “Today, I am encouraged to note that, through our collective efforts and the support of the Federal Government, the security situation across parts of Northern Nigeria has shown measurable improvement.”
Despite the reported progress, the forum warned against easing efforts, insisting that emerging threats still require vigilance and sustained collaboration.
“However, there is absolutely no room for complacency,” Yahaya stressed. “We must sustain and intensify our collective efforts to consolidate the gains recorded by neutralising emerging threats and ensuring that peace and security take firm and lasting root across our region.”
He emphasised that security remains the bedrock of development, linking regional stability to broader socio-economic progress. “The safety of our people remains the foundation upon which all development rests. Our efforts towards the institutional strengthening and restructuring of the NSGF are bearing fruit.”
Yahaya also called for a stronger institutional framework for the forum to enhance coordination and long-term impact. “As we continue to take on greater responsibilities in collectively shaping the future of Northern Nigeria, it is imperative that the Northern States Governors’ Forum is repositioned on a solid institutional foundation – one that enhances coordination, ensures continuity, and improves our capacity for strategic engagement and policy implementation.”
The governors’ claims of improved security stand in stark contrast to recent deadly incidents across the region. Just one day before the forum’s meeting, at least 26 people were killed in a coordinated attack on the Anguwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. The assault, which occurred on Palm Sunday, also left many victims hospitalised.
In a video released on Monday morning, lifeless bodies could be seen scattered across the community as residents grappled with the scale of the massacre. A visibly distressed community leader, speaking in the footage, alleged that the attackers laid an ambush on unsuspecting residents.
“They laid ambush on our people. They killed more than 26. We are still counting, as some corpses are in the hospital,” he said. “We are calling on the government to take necessary actions. If not, we won’t be able to control the youths again. We are tired of the killings. We are tired of the Fulani militant actions.”
The Plateau massacre follows recent deadly violence in Maiduguri, Borno State, as well as banditry attacks in Kwara State, underscoring the fragile security situation across Northern Nigeria.
Governor Yahaya reiterated the forum’s earlier resolution on the Security Trust Fund, urging all member states to honour their N1 billion monthly contributions to ensure the fund’s effectiveness.
The forum maintained that sustained funding and stronger collaboration would be critical to preserving any security gains. Yet, with fresh mass casualties reported on the eve of the meeting, questions linger over the gap between official assessments and the lived reality of many northern communities.
