The Northern Nigeria Minorities Group has lauded the nineteen northern governors for launching a historic security initiative, while urging the Federal Government to immediately identify and expose financiers of terrorism in Nigeria.
In a bold regional move, each of the northern states’ governors has pledged one billion naira monthly to a joint security intervention fund aimed at combating the escalating threats of terrorism, banditry, and organized crime across the region. The group described the initiative as a “remarkable demonstration of leadership” and a clear signal that northern states are taking coordinated action to safeguard their citizens.
Chief Jacob Edi, Convener of the group, stressed that while the governors’ fund is a “critical step,” full national security requires transparency on the networks and individuals fueling violent extremism. “The Nigerian public has a right to know who is financing terrorism and how these illicit funds are moving through the economy,” Edi said.
He highlighted that Nigeria’s institutional frameworks—**the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, Bank Verification Numbers, National Identity Cards, and other statutory monitoring mechanisms—**provide sufficient capacity to trace and disrupt illicit financial flows supporting violent groups. “Those who underwrite these atrocities have undermined national cohesion for far too long, and continued secrecy only emboldens them,” he added.
The group also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for intensifying nationwide security operations. According to Chief Edi, early signs indicate that the administration’s efforts are yielding results, marking a more assertive and coordinated national security posture.
“The publication of terrorism financiers, combined with ongoing operational security measures, will substantially advance Nigeria’s path toward eliminating terrorism and restoring durable peace,” the statement said. “Nigeria stands at a critical inflection point, and transparency is indispensable to sustaining these gains.”
Analysts say the northern governors’ fund could set a new precedent for regional collaboration on security, particularly at a time when insecurity has claimed thousands of lives and disrupted communities across the region.
The Northern Nigeria Minorities Group called on both state and federal authorities to ensure that efforts to combat terrorism are matched with accountability and transparency, warning that failure to expose financiers could undermine national security initiatives.
Northern Minorities Praise Governors’ Security Fund, Demand Disclosure on Terror Financiers
