Thirty-five states voted N214 billion for local security outfits, defence initiatives, and the purchase of arms and equipment in their 2025 budget.
Despite the substantial funding allocated to eliminate insecurity, no fewer than 367 individuals have been killed during Yuletide and Sallah celebrations between 2019 and 2025.
The states’ budgets are contained in Open States, a BudgIT-backed website that serves as a repository of government budget data.
The massive vote, intended to bolster security nationwide, raises critical concerns about the efficacy of these measures, as citizens remain increasingly vulnerable to the tide of violence.
Although the responsibility for ensuring the safety of lives and property lies with the Federal Government, the increasing wave of kidnapping, robbery, and other forms of violence has compelled many state governors to set up their own internal security strategies to combat the menace.
However, these efforts have not yielded the desired results as criminals continue to operate with impunity, terrorising the citizens.
Last month, a total of 30 people were reportedly killed in a wave of attacks across Ondo, Benue, and Nasarawa, with the affected communities calling for urgent government intervention.
Nine surveyors were reportedly kidnapped in Ondo, while two residents were abducted, and four others suffered gun and machete wounds in Edo.
In Ondo, enraged women took to the streets of Akure recently, following the abduction of nine surveyors and the killings of villagers in the Akure North Local Government Area.
Armed assailants reportedly stormed the communities of Aba Alajido, Aba Sunday, Aba Pastor, and Ademekun, leaving a trail of destruction and bloodshed.
Authorities recovered at least 14 bodies, while search efforts continued, with a report that 20 villagers were killed.
In Benue, violent protests erupted in Naka, the headquarters of Gwer West Local Government, after three members of the state’s Civil Protection Guards were ambushed and killed by suspected herders.
In Nasarawa State, a communal clash in the Farin Dutse community escalated into a full-blown crisis, leaving at least seven people dead, including a pregnant woman.
The conflict, which began as a dispute between local farmers and herders, quickly spiralled out of control, with houses, shops, and vehicles set ablaze.
Imo, Governor Hope Uzodinma allocated N820.42m for its Homeland Security and Vigilance Ministry
Jigawa and Kaduna made modest allocations of N40m and N40.74m, respectively.
Kano, Katsina, and Kebbi states also prioritized security, with Kano allocating N1.42bn, Katsina a substantial N5.28bn, and Kebbi the highest allocation among northern states with N21.81bn.
Kogi’s allocation was N11.06bn, while Kwara set aside N37m for its security operations.
In the southwest, Ogun State made a substantial provision of N4.81bn for security.
Amotekun, the regional security outfit, received a significant portion of N1.79bn, with Safe-Corps also getting N459.62m.
On the other hand, Ondo State budgeted N7.07bn, with N7.06bn going to Amotekun’s operations.
Osun and Oyo states allocated N1.525bn and N4.88bn, respectively, for security.
Plateau’s security budget was pegged at N7.36bn, while Rivers State made the largest allocation for security in 2025, with an impressive N39.82bn set aside for security equipment.
Sokoto’s security budget stood at N10.57bn, Taraba set aside N4.15bn, Yobe allocated N50m and Zamfara, N32.29bn.
President Bola Tinubu, at a security conference, said a well-governed state is better equipped to address internal challenges and should not depend on federal agencies for safety.
He averred that the sorry state of the local government system has contributed to the developmental setbacks and the country’s inability to tackle the prevailing security threats.
“Sadly, the state of our local government system in Nigeria is a cause of concern, as its degradation and incapacitation have continued significantly and have contributed significantly to our developmental setback and our inability to effectively address the prevailing national security threat.
“We find ourselves trapped in a paradoxical situation where the very areas most affected by security classes are rendered powerless and unable to mount any meaningful resistance or defence.
“Local governments are the frontline defenders against insecurity, as they are closest to the people and possess intimate knowledge of their community’s needs and challenges. This is why some are advocating for community policing as a panacea to end security challenges,” he noted.
Meanwhile, attacks on both Christian and Muslim communities have left over 367 individuals dead between 2019 and 2025 during festive periods.
The incidents occurred in Edo, Rivers, Plateau and Benue, among others.
The figures were sourced from the Nigeria Security Tracker, a project of the Council on Foreign Relations and media reports within the period under review.
However, the number was not definitive as many of the incidents are under-reported.
The greatest carnage so far occurred in December 2023 when over 150 people were killed in coordinated Christmas Eve attacks in Plateau State.
In December 2024, 47 lives were lost on Christmas Day in Benue. Militants ambushed Christians returning from Christmas morning services, killing 11 people in the Kwande LGA of the state.
A few days earlier, on December 22, 2024, armed men stormed the Gidan Ado community in the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, leaving 15 people dead.
The trend of targeting Christian worshippers continued into the New Year when gunmen in Rivers State murdered at least 14 churchgoers as they returned from midnight services in January 2025.
Also, in the same month, suspected militants killed three Christians in a late-night attack on the village of Sha in Bokkos, Plateau State.
In December 2020, the Boko Haram terrorist group launched a brutal Christmas Eve attack on Chibok village in Borno State, killing 11 people and kidnapping seven others, leaving the community in shock and despair.
That same year, a Christmas music carnival in Benue turned violent when police allegedly opened fire on fun-seekers, resulting in the deaths of two individuals.
The Muslim faithful have also suffered deadly assaults, though attacks during the festive periods are uncommon.
In August 2019, the Sallah festivities were overshadowed by tragedy as 75 Shiite members lost their lives during their Ashura processions in Sokoto, Kaduna, Gombe, and Katsina State.
On August 15, 2021, 23 people returning from a Muslim festival were killed in Jos, Plateau State.
More recently, on March 27, 2025, a mob in Uromi, Edo State, killed 16 hunters travelling to Kano for the Eid celebrations.
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