Police Report Reveals 98 Criminal Incidents, Over 50 Attacks in One Week Despite Increased Security Spending

By Margaret Abah

The Federal Government spent N57.78 billion on security-related projects and operations between January and April 2026, representing a 127.97 per cent increase compared to the N25.35 billion expended during the same period in 2025.

Data obtained from the Open Treasury Portal showed that the funds were directed towards defence equipment procurement, security infrastructure, military barracks, police facilities and other security-related projects.

Despite the increased spending, insecurity has continued to escalate across the country, with a police report indicating that no fewer than 98 criminal incidents were recorded nationwide within the last seven days.

Analysis of the Treasury Portal data showed that only 1.24 per cent of the N4.66 trillion security allocation for 2026 had been utilised as of April.

Defence equipment procurement accounted for the largest share of spending, with N21.39 billion representing about 37 per cent of total security expenditure. Another N14.16 billion was spent on security equipment, while N5.84 billion went into the construction of military barracks.

The government also spent N5.17 billion on police stations and barracks, N3.26 billion on the rehabilitation of defence equipment, N2.39 billion on defence facilities and N2.16 billion on repairs of military barracks. Routine security services received N3 billion, while N320.94 million was disbursed as security votes.

However, no expenditure was recorded under the military operations budget line tagged “Operation Lafiya Dole and Other Operations of the Armed Forces,” despite a N500 million allocation. Likewise, no funds had been released for the kitting of Armed Forces personnel, although N2.53 billion was earmarked for the programme.

The report also revealed that 98 security incidents were recorded across several states, including Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Kebbi. The incidents comprised 37 homicide cases, 27 banditry attacks, 24 kidnapping cases, eight armed robbery incidents and two terrorism-related attacks.

Among the major incidents was the abduction of 39 residents in Zamfara State after they reportedly entered the Fadama Forest to negotiate peace with a notorious bandit leader, identified as Jimo Smally.

In Katsina State, bandits reportedly blocked the Katsina-Kankara highway and intercepted a commercial vehicle carrying 11 passengers. Police operatives later rescued nine of the victims, while the driver and one passenger remained missing.

Reacting to the development, security analyst Lekan Jackson-Ojo described the situation as the worst insecurity crisis in Nigeria's history.

According to him, the worsening security situation has made the country increasingly unsafe and poses serious threats to economic growth.

Jackson-Ojo also criticised the policy of reintegrating repentant terrorists into society, arguing that it sends the wrong message and reflects a lack of political will to address the crisis.

He further lamented what he described as the political class's preoccupation with electoral campaigns instead of tackling pressing security challenges.

Another security expert, Chidi Omeje, said the military remained overstretched despite increased government spending.

According to him, the cost of military operations is enormous and the amount spent so far is inadequate when converted to foreign exchange and measured against operational demands.

Omeje argued that military action alone would not end insecurity, stressing that corruption, poverty, bad governance and poor prioritisation were major factors fuelling crime and violence.

He also blamed porous borders and instability across the Sahel region for worsening Nigeria's security challenges.

The analyst urged the government to adopt more decisive measures, warning that failure to address the root causes of insecurity would only prolong the crisis.

The latest figures suggest that although security spending has increased significantly compared to last year, violent attacks continue across the country, while a substantial portion of the approved security budget remains unutilised.