A review of Benue State’s 2026 first-quarter budget performance report has shown that the government spent only N111.06 million on security between January and March, despite allocating N41.85 billion for security-related expenses in the year’s budget.
The report has raised concerns over the administration’s security spending priorities amid rising attacks in several local government areas. The approved budget includes N40 billion for security votes and operations and N1.85 billion for security services, bringing the total allocation to N41.85 billion.
However, only N111.06 million, about 0.3 per cent of the total, was released and spent within the first quarter. This is also lower than the N3.35 billion spent on running the Government House and the State House of Assembly during the same period.
The low expenditure comes despite continued attacks in parts of the state, where dozens of residents were reportedly killed between January and March.
Benue, often referred to as Nigeria’s “food basket,” has faced repeated violence linked to banditry, farmer-herder clashes, and armed group attacks. Areas such as Kwande, Gwer West, Ohimini, and Agatu recorded deadly incidents during the period under review.
Despite the insecurity, the Benue State Bureau of Homeland Security, established in July 2024 to coordinate security operations, recorded no releases for personnel, overhead, or capital expenditure in the first quarter. The agency has a total 2026 budget of N2.15 billion.
