The Digest:
Nigerian states have collectively budgeted over N525 billion for security votes between 2023 and 2025, yet citizens face escalating kidnappings and killings, a stark paradox where colossal funding flows into a deepening chasm of insecurity
Key Points:
- 32 states budgeted N525.23bn for security votes from 2023 to 2025.
- Annual allocations rose sharply from N150bn in 2023 to N210bn in 2025.
- Borno State had the highest three-year total at N57.40bn.
- Spending is shrouded in secrecy, with four states not disclosing figures.
- Critics say funds act as political war chests, not tools for public safety.
- Despite the budgets, violent attacks and kidnappings continue to spread.
- Labour unions and civil society demand transparency and tangible results.
Source: The Punch
