At least 31 state governments spent an estimated N252.26bn on security in the first six months of 2026, even as killings, kidnappings and bandit attacks continued across the country.
An analysis of state budget performance reports for January to June 2026, obtained from Open Nigerian States, showed that Kogi recorded the highest security-related spending at N34.67bn.
Plateau followed with N23.69bn, while Bauchi spent N22.35bn.
The figures covered spending on security equipment, security personnel, security votes, security operations, ministries of security and special advisers, as well as security trust funds.
The combined spending rose sharply from N75.84bn in 2025 to N252.26bn in 2026. However, the year-on-year comparison was based on 22 states with available figures for both years.
Kogi, Plateau and Bauchi lead spending
Kogi’s N34.67bn accounted for 13.74 per cent of the total spending recorded. Plateau’s N23.69bn represented 9.39 per cent, while Bauchi’s N22.35bn accounted for 8.86 per cent.
Together, the three states spent about N80.70bn, representing 32 per cent of the total.
Bayelsa ranked fourth with N17.49bn, followed by Ekiti with N14.83bn and Anambra with N13.40bn.
Sokoto spent N11.27bn, while Ondo and Kaduna recorded N10.54bn and N10.37bn respectively.
Kebbi spent N10.14bn, Adamawa N9.95bn, Zamfara N9.07bn and Borno N8.29bn.
Kano recorded N8.26bn, while Katsina spent N7.21bn.
The data showed that spending on security votes and related homeland security activities rose from N47.67bn to N135.61bn.
Spending on ministries of security and special advisers also increased from N14.95bn to N42.15bn, while security trust fund spending rose from N6.82bn to N10.53bn.
Spending rises as insecurity persists
The increase in spending came despite continued security challenges across Nigeria.
The National Human Rights Commission said its Human Rights Observatory recorded 651 kidnapping incidents and 492 killings between January and March 2026.
A report by SARI Global also showed that 792 people were killed in 882 security incidents across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in June alone.
Official mid-year figures further showed that military and other security agencies carried out about 14,000 operations in the first half of the year, killing 1,597 terrorists and insurgents and rescuing 1,516 kidnapped victims.
The figures have raised questions about whether increased spending is producing better security outcomes.
The analysis also showed that spending did not always match the level of insecurity in each state. Zamfara, Borno, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto and Kebbi, which have faced serious banditry and insurgency, collectively spent about N56.04bn.
Meanwhile, Kogi alone spent N34.67bn.
The figures therefore highlight the growing financial commitment by state governments to security, while questions remain over the effectiveness, transparency and coordination of the spending.
