Benue uses just 0.3% of N41bn security budget in early 2026 despite escalating violence

As killings increased across Benue, the state government utilised only 0.3 percent of its N41.85 billion security allocation during the first quarter of 2026.

A review of Benue State’s first-quarter budget performance report shows that only N111.06 million was spent on security from January to March 2026, despite a total allocation of N41.85 billion for the sector in the 2026 budget.

This development has raised questions about the security spending priorities of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration at a time when multiple communities are facing repeated attacks.

The approved 2026 budget set aside N40 billion for security votes and operations, along with N1.85 billion for security services, bringing the total to N41.85 billion.

However, the report by Premium Times indicates that just N111.06 million about 0.3 percent of the allocation was released and used within the first three months of the year.

Notably, this figure is far below the N3.35 billion spent on running the Government House and the State House of Assembly within the same period. Security spending represented only 3.3 percent of that amount.

Typically, security votes at the state level are used to support security agencies through logistics, intelligence, fuel, vehicles, emergency response, and stipends for local vigilante groups.

The low level of spending comes amid continued violence in several parts of the state, where dozens of residents were reportedly killed between January and March.

Benue, widely known as Nigeria’s “food basket” due to its agricultural productivity, has long struggled with violence linked to banditry, farmer-herder clashes, and armed group attacks issues that have also affected food security.

Local government areas such as Kwande, Gwer West, Ohimini, and Agatu recorded multiple deadly incidents during the period.

On January 14, two individuals were reportedly killed on a rice farm in Kwande. Two days later, five people lost their lives in Gwer West. On January 22, suspected militia members attacked Tse-Amuneke village in Mbapupuu Ward, killing two residents.

In Ohimini, a young man was killed on January 27 in Alaglanu community, Oglewu Ward.

Agatu also witnessed violence on January 23, when armed men attacked Opatali, Ejima G’Eche, and Ejima G’Okpa, killing two people and injuring five others.

On January 24, a trader, Joseph Okoh, was reportedly killed after gunmen blocked the Adoka–Odugbo Road at Edikwu-Okpogo village. A woman, Aneh Sunday, sustained serious injuries in the same incident.

Further attacks followed: a farmer was killed on January 27 along the Agagbe–Abian Road, and an engine operator was killed on January 30 in Ikobi community.

On February 3, attackers stormed Abande and Anwase communities in Turan District, killing at least 17 people, including a police officer.

Another major incident occurred on March 5, when 16 people were killed in Mbaav and Mbachoon communities.

Despite the worsening situation, the Benue State Bureau of Homeland Security established in July 2024 to coordinate security efforts recorded no spending on personnel, overhead, or capital projects in the first quarter. The agency has a total allocation of N2.15 billion for 2026.

Security experts have consistently warned that ongoing attacks threaten agriculture, livelihoods, and humanitarian stability, stressing the need for stronger coordination and intervention.

Revenue and expenditure overview

The report also shows that Benue State generated N127.18 billion in total revenue during the first quarter of 2026.

Of this amount, N57.68 billion came from FAAC allocations, while internally generated revenue contributed N11.33 billion. Grants and aid accounted for N14.42 billion, and N43.75 billion was carried over as opening balance from 2025.

Total expenditure within the same period stood at N82.28 billion.

Out of this, N34.48 billion was spent on personnel costs, N22.38 billion on other recurrent expenses, and N25.42 billion on capital projects and programmes.