N57.78 bn was allocated to security related projects in the first quarter of 2026.
Kano —
Despite increased government spending on security, Nigeria continues to grapple with widespread insecurity, as fresh data reveals that violent crimes, including killings, kidnappings and bandit attacks, remain rampant across the country.
The Federal Government spent N57.78 billion on security-related projects and operations between January and April 2026, according to data obtained from the Open Treasury Portal.
The figure represents a 127.97 per cent increase compared to the N25.35 billion recorded during the same period in 2025.
However, the increased expenditure has not translated into improved safety, with at least 98 criminal incidents recorded nationwide within a single week, raising concerns among experts about the effectiveness of current strategies.
An analysis of the Treasury data shows that the N57.78 billion spent so far accounts for just 1.24 per cent of the total N4.66 trillion security allocation for the 2026 fiscal year, indicating a slow pace of budget implementation despite escalating security challenges.
A breakdown of the spending reveals that the largest portion—N21.39 billion, representing about 37 per cent was allocated to defence equipment procurement.
The government also spent N5.17 billion on police stations and barracks, N3.26 billion on the rehabilitation of defence equipment, and N2.39 billion on defence facilities. Repairs of military barracks accounted for N2.16 billion.
For routine operations, N3 billion was disbursed for security services, while N320.94 million was released as security votes.
Despite these expenditures, several critical areas recorded zero disbursement. Notably, no funds were released under the military operations budget line tagged “Operation Lafiya Dole and Other Operations of the Armed Forces,” despite a provision of N500 million in the 2026 budget.
Similarly, the kitting of Armed Forces personnel, which had an allocation of N2.53 billion, received no funding during the period under review.
Year-on-year comparisons further highlight the increase in certain spending categories.
Expenditure on defence equipment rose sharply from N9.48 billion in the first four months of 2025 to N21.39 billion in 2026, while spending on military barracks construction increased from zero to N5.84 billion.
Nevertheless, budget implementation across most security projects remains low, with many programmes recording execution rates below three per cent.
Meanwhile, the security situation on the ground paints a troubling picture. According to Punch, a recent police security report revealed that no fewer than 98 criminal incidents occurred across the country within a seven-day period.
The report detailed 37 homicide cases, 27 banditry attacks, 24 kidnappings, eight armed robbery incidents, and two terrorism-related attacks. These incidents were reported in several states, including Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Kebbi, among others.
In one of the most alarming cases, 39 residents were abducted in Zamfara State after reportedly entering the Fadama Forest to negotiate peace with a notorious bandit leader, Jimo Smally.
Similarly, in Katsina State, bandits blocked the Katsina-Kankara highway and intercepted a commercial vehicle carrying 11 passengers.
While security operatives later rescued nine of the victims, the driver and one passenger remained missing as of the time of reporting.
The persistence of such incidents has drawn sharp criticism from security experts, who argue that increased funding alone is insufficient to address Nigeria’s complex security challenges.
A security analyst Lekan Jackson-Ojo,during an interview with Channels TV,on Sunday described the situation as unprecedented, warning that the country is facing its worst security crisis in history.
“This is the highest level of insecurity in the military and political history of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
“It is an indirect pronouncement that Nigeria is now an unsafe territory. There is no economy anywhere in the world that thrives under insecurity.”he added
Jackson-Ojo further lamented what he described as significant losses within the military hierarchy, noting that several high-ranking officers had been killed in recent months without corresponding retaliatory action.
He also criticised the policy of reintegrating repentant terrorists into society, arguing that such measures could undermine justice and embolden criminal elements.
“I’ve never heard anywhere in the world where terrorists who have killed and destroyed are reintegrated back into society. To me, it shows a lack of political will. Something is clearly wrong,” he added.
The analyst also accused the political class of being more focused on electoral campaigns than addressing the nation’s security crisis. “What preoccupies our leaders is campaign after campaign. Meanwhile, the country is bleeding,” he said.
Another security expert, Chidi Omeje, pointed to the overstretched nature of the military, noting that troops are currently deployed across numerous conflict zones nationwide.
“The military is completely overstretched. There are over 30 active operations across the country, and the resources available are simply not enough,” he said.
Omeje explained that the cost of modern military operations is extremely high, arguing that the N57.78 billion spent so far may not be sufficient when converted to foreign currency and applied to defence procurement and logistics.
“One Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle costs a huge amount. Even deploying an aircraft for one hour of operation is extremely expensive. When you convert the spending to dollars, it amounts to very little,” he said.
He stressed that military action alone cannot resolve Nigeria’s security challenges, urging the government to address underlying issues such as poverty, corruption and poor governance.
“Unless we tackle the root causes, we will continue to go in circles. Many of these problems are driven by economic hardship and lack of opportunities, which push people into crime,” he noted.
“From Mali to Burkina Faso and into Nigeria, the region has become an epicentre of terrorism. Nigeria is especially vulnerable because of weak border management,” he said.
He called on the government to adopt a more comprehensive approach that combines security operations with economic reforms and stronger governance.
“The government has a responsibility to find solutions. They must act decisively,” he added.
As insecurity continues to threaten lives and livelihoods, many Nigerians are questioning whether increased spending without corresponding results can effectively address the crisis.
The data suggests that while funding has increased, deeper structural challenges remain unresolved, leaving the country caught in a cycle of violence and uncertainty.
