States spend N252bn on security in six months

Thirty-one Nigerian state governments spent a combined N252.26 billion on security in the first six months of 2026 — a 232.6 per cent increase from N75.84 billion recorded in the same period in 2025 — even as killings, kidnappings and banditry continued across the country, according to budget performance data analysed from Open Nigerian States, a BudgIT-backed platform.

According to The Punch, Kogi led all states with N34.67 billion, followed by Plateau at N23.69 billion and Bauchi at N22.35 billion.

Security votes and homeland security expenditure accounted for the largest category at N135.61 billion, while five states — Akwa Ibom, Edo, Osun, Rivers and Yobe — recorded no expenditure in the listed security categories.