Insecurity – Billions For Luxury, Pennies For Security: Northern Nigeria’s Insecurity Worsens As States Splurge On Cars, Foreign Trips

Also, the governors announced a plan to earmark N1 billion monthly under what they called a “regional security fund”.

At a meeting on Monday, December 1, Northern Nigerian state governors lamented the worsening state of insecurity in the region, a crisis that has scarred families, disrupted schooling, and left entire communities traumatised.

Also, the governors announced a plan to earmark N1 billion monthly under what they called a “regional security fund”.

According to a statement issued after the meeting, “the forum resolved to set up a regional security trust fund to be funded with monthly contributions of one billion naira… under a framework to be agreed upon,” Gombe State governor Inuwa Yahaya, who chairs the forum, said.

As detailed in the complete version, there are several key factors to consider.

But beyond the public rhetoric and repeated condemnations of insecurity, a deeper look into state finances reveals a troubling pattern.

Many of these same governments have chronically underfunded their own ministries responsible for internal security, while pouring billions into luxuries, vehicles, office complexes, and political comforts.

This report uncovers that contradiction, one that fuels public anger as killings, kidnappings, school closures, and mass displacement continue to ravage Northern states.

Zamfara: Billions for Luxury Vehicles, Pennies for Security

Zamfara, one of the epicentres of banditry, spent N13.114 billion on 50 vehicles between January and October 2024. Another N2.5 billion is already planned for similar purchases in 2025.

Yet the state recorded some of the gravest insecurity in the country.

“Zamfara State recorded the highest number of fatalities at 1,088.” It also “recorded the highest number of abducted persons at 1,755.”

Despite this crisis, only N1 billion was spent on the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs in 2024. In 2023, the figure was even lower at N590 million.

Altogether, the ministry received N1.9 billion across nearly three years, a fraction of the N13.1 billion blown on vehicles in just 10 months.

Kebbi: Suffering Insecurity, Yet Money Flows to Secretariats and Appliances

Kebbi, which recently suffered a mass abduction of schoolchildren, spent only N45 million on its Ministry of Internal Security in 2024.

But between January and October 2025, the state spent N6.6 billion building an ultra-modern state secretariat.

Even more surprising, the 2025 budget allocates N1.3 billion for fridges and freezers, more than the N1.1 billion the state earmarked for internal security.

The state also budgeted N20.6 billion for security equipment in 2025, but by October, not a single naira had been released.

Kaduna: Zero Spending on Internal Security Capital; Billions for Foreign Trips

In Kaduna, the Ministry of Internal Security received zero capital expenditure between January and September 2025, despite a budget of N4.7 billion.

Meanwhile, N3.2 billion was spent on estacode, the travel allowance for international trips, within the same period.

Niger State: Billions on Allowances, Minimal on Security Infrastructure

The Niger State government budgeted N9.5 billion for its Ministry of Homeland Security for the 2025 fiscal year, however between January and September representing first three quarters, the state spent N1.5 billion only on the Ministry.

Of this amount, nothing was spent on capital expenses, which would have been used for purchase of equipment and other infrastructure.

Between January and October 2024, only N1.4 billion was spent on the Ministry of Homeland Security, with N1.4 billion spent in 2023.

SaharaReporters review of the budget performance documents for Niger State shows that a sum of N7.8 billion was spent on honorarium and sitting allowances by the state between January 2024 and March 2025.

In 2024, honorarium and sitting allowances gulped N4.813 billion, while between January and September 2025, N3 billion was spent on the same purpose.

Kogi: Billions on Vehicles as Security Trust Fund Remains Underfunded

While Kogi set aside N1.2 billion for its security trust fund in 2025, only N645 million had been released as of September.

Yet the state budgeted N7 billion for the purchase of 60 vehicles in 2025, despite already spending N4.4 billion on vehicles in 2024.

In total, the state is on track to spend N11 billion on 60 vehicles alone.

Borno: Billions for “Repentant Boko Haram” Reintegration

Borno State, still bearing the scars of insurgency, spent N6 billion over 18 months rehabilitating “repentant Boko Haram” members.

Between January and September 2025, N2.6 billion went to “livelihood support for Repentant Boko Haram Members,” with N758.1 million disbursed between July and September.

Adamawa, Jigawa, Nasarawa: Luxury Spending Becomes Routine

In Adamawa, despite budgeting only N50 million for saloon cars, the state spent N2 billion on 50 executive vehicles, alongside N3.2 billion for SUVs. Another N919 million was approved for extending the House of Assembly complex.

In Jigawa, the Government House spent N437 million on “Utility vehicles” within just three months, totalling N672 million by September 2025.

In Nasarawa, the government allocated N2 billion to extend and renovate the Assembly complex, while constituency project funds, crucial for boreholes, health centres, and roads, stood at N960 million.

SaharaReporters review of the Plateau State budget performance document also shows that the state budgeted the sum of N3.7 billion on House of Assembly Guest House and resident for Speaker, Deputy Speaker.

The state also budgeted to buy 12 number hilux vehicles for the House of Assembly at the rate of N3.9 billion. This would mean that on average, each vehicle is expected to cost N325 million.

The money to be spent on guest house, resident for Speaker, Deputy Speaker and vehicles for the assembly totals N7.6 billion.

Massive Federal Allocations, Minimal Security Outcomes

These states are not short of funds.

Niger received N203 billion in federal allocations between January and September 2025.

Zamfara received N125.7 billion in 2024, and N123.3 billion between January and October 2025.

Kebbi received N123 billion between January and September 2025. Kogi State received N219 billion between January and September 2025 as federal allocation.

Yet internal security ministries remain underfunded.

Insecurity Forces Schools to Shut Down Across the North

Even as billions flow into luxury projects, insecurity is forcing schools to close.

In Niger State, 303 pupils and students along with 12 staff members were recently abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools. At least 50 pupils were later said to have returned to their families.

Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna said, “as much as we receive the return of these 50 children that escaped with some sigh of relief, I urge you all to continue in your prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims.”

The school still has 251 pupils, 14 secondary students, and 12 teachers in captivity.

Kebbi also suffered a dawn attack at Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, leaving one staff member dead.

In Kwara, Bauchi, Katsina, Niger, Plateau, Yobe, Taraba, and Kebbi, entire schools have been shut down due to rising threats and fear of further attacks.