At least 21 state governments across Nigeria have allocated over ₦133 billion to security votes this year, even as violent crimes continue to escalate nationwide.
This is according to Saturday PUNCH’s analysis of 2025 second-quarter budget performance reports published on official state websites.
The spike in allocations comes against the backdrop of continued killings, kidnappings, and destruction of property across several states, with many Nigerians questioning the effectiveness and transparency of these security expenditures.
Just last Sunday, suspected gunmen invaded Ikn’gwakap community in Mushere Chiefdom, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing six residents and setting homes ablaze.
Earlier this month, Boko Haram terrorists killed 63 people, including five soldiers, during a night raid on Darajamal, a resettled community in Bama LGA, Borno State.
The attackers reportedly arrived on motorcycles, opened fire on residents, and torched buildings, shops, and vehicles.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, described the scene as “very sad” during his visit, confirming the casualty figures.
In Katsina State, 32 worshippers were also killed in August when bandits stormed a mosque in Unguwan Mantau, Malumfashi LGA, during dawn prayers.
Despite these persistent attacks, budget reports show that at least 21 states collectively allocated ₦132.73 billion to security votes within the first half of the year.
The top spenders include:
Borno – ₦32.8bn
Benue – ₦15.6bn
Ondo – ₦11.5bn
Delta – ₦10.6bn
Adamawa – ₦8.2bn
Bauchi – ₦8bn
Zamfara – ₦8bn
Others such as Kano (₦5bn), Sokoto (₦5.5bn), Katsina (₦4.4bn), Nasarawa (₦4bn), and Bayelsa (₦4.8bn) also made substantial allocations.
States with lower commitments include:
Imo – ₦1.58bn
Kaduna – ₦1.2bn
Abia – ₦2bn
Jigawa – ₦807m
Lagos – ₦596m
Taraba – ₦503.8m
Kwara – ₦350m
Security votes are opaque, monthly allocations set aside by federal and state governments for tackling insecurity.
These funds are not subject to detailed public scrutiny or auditing, supposedly to allow swift responses to threats without bureaucratic delays.
However, many analysts have long criticised the system for being unaccountable and prone to abuse.
Columnist Lekan Sote recently described it as “a statutory drainpipe,” rooted in Nigeria’s military history.
He traced its origin to the era of General Yakubu Gowon, who allegedly created the fund to buy loyalty from military governors and elites during the Civil War.
Critics argue that the billions earmarked for security votes have not translated to improved safety or infrastructure for citizens.
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has called on the government to provide transparency around the use of security votes.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, the group’s national coordinator, Jamilu Charanchi, asked:
“What are they doing with the security vote? We still have killings in the North. The roads are bad, hospitals are failing, electricity is unreliable, and education is in crisis. What is the money really being used for?”
Charanchi claimed that poverty is at the heart of insecurity in the North and alleged that some state governments benefit from the prevailing chaos.
“They can’t provide basic services, yet they keep collecting billions. It’s time Nigerians demand answers,” he said.
