By Obinna Uballa
Northern governors and traditional rulers have reiterated that Nigeria’s centralized policing system is insufficient to meet the security needs of a nation with over 200 million people and extensive ungoverned areas. The leaders emphasized the urgent need for state policing reforms to curb escalating insecurity across the region.
The call was made during a high-level meeting in Kaduna State on Monday, hosted by Governor Uba Sani and chaired by Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF) chairman, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State. The forum brought together governors, deputy governors, and key traditional rulers to discuss strategies for addressing banditry, kidnappings, farmer-herder conflicts, and other security and socioeconomic challenges.
Governor Sani said the gathering reflected a commitment to coordinated action, noting, “Nigeria’s centralized policing model can no longer meet the demands of a nation with over two hundred million people. With fewer than 400,000 police officers nationwide, many rural communities are left unprotected.”
Governor Yahaya highlighted that insecurity affects all citizens, both Muslims and Christians, and commended President Bola Tinubu’s decisive interventions. He warned against divisive narratives that undermine national cohesion, pointing out that insecurity is compounded by underdevelopment, illiteracy, poverty, environmental degradation, and poor resource management.
“To bring stability and prosperity to northern Nigeria, leaders must unite, invest in human capital, infrastructure, and economic opportunities, and prioritize the welfare of millions of Almajiri and out-of-school children,” Yahaya said. He reaffirmed the NGF’s support for state policing reforms, urging federal and state lawmakers to fast-track the constitutional amendments needed to implement the policy.
The Sultan of Sokoto, chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, urged governors to listen to constructive feedback from citizens and traditional leaders to strengthen governance. He stressed that dismissing criticism could undermine efforts to tackle insecurity, poverty, and economic hardship.
Governors present included those of Kaduna, Gombe, Niger, Zamfara, Nasarawa, and Bauchi, alongside deputy governors representing other states. Traditional rulers led by the Sultan of Sokoto also attended.
The meeting concluded with a strong consensus that regional cooperation, local solutions, and state-level policing are essential to restoring peace, security, and development across northern Nigeria.
