Police report: Bandits launch over 50 attacks in one week

Nigeria's government allocated N57.78 billion for security-related projects and operations in the first four months of 2026. This spending marks a significant 127.97% increase compared to the N25.35 billion spent during the same period in 2025. The expenditure covers defense equipment procurement, security infrastructure, and military and police facilities, occurring amidst persistent insecurity across the country.

Despite the increased spending, security experts express concern over the effectiveness of government efforts to combat persistent attacks by terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and armed criminals. Data from the Open Treasury Portal shows that only 1.24% of the total security budget of N4.66 trillion had been utilized by April 2026. The largest portion of the expenditure, N21.39 billion, went to defense equipment procurement, followed by N14.16 billion for security equipment and N5.84 billion for military barracks construction.

However, significant portions of the security budget remain unutilized. No expenditure was recorded for "Operation Lafiya Dole and Other Operations of the Armed Forces," despite a N500 million provision. Similarly, funds earmarked for kitting Armed Forces personnel have not been released. This low budget implementation rate, with many critical programs below three percent execution, contrasts sharply with the rising insecurity.

A police security report highlights the severity of the ongoing crisis, documenting at least 98 criminal incidents nationwide in the past week. These incidents include 37 homicides, 27 banditry attacks, 24 kidnappings, eight armed robberies, and two terrorism-related attacks. These events were reported across multiple states, involving mass abductions and highway kidnappings, underscoring the urgent need for effective security strategies.