By Mohammed Fitr/ABUJA// While killings spread across Benue State in the first quarter of 2026, the state government spent only N111 million on security – a mere 0.3% of its N41.85 billion security budget.
A review of Benue’s Q1 2026 budget performance report carried out by Premium Times shows that Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration released and spent just N111.06 million on security between January and March, despite worsening attacks in several local government areas.
The 2026 budget earmarked N40 billion for security votes and operations, alongside N1.85 billion for security services, bringing total security allocation to N41.85 billion. Yet, only a tiny fraction of the amount was utilised in the first three months of the year.
Ironically, the amount spent on security was dwarfed by the N3.35 billion released for the running costs of Government House and the Benue State House of Assembly within the same period.
The low security spending came as communities across Kwande, Gwer West, Ohimini, Agatu and other parts of the state suffered repeated deadly attacks.
Between January and March alone, dozens of residents were reportedly killed by armed attackers in a wave of violence that continued to ravage Benue communities.
Among the attacks:
• Two farmers were killed in Kwande on January 14.
• Five persons were murdered in Gwer West two days later.
• Armed militia attacked Tse-Amuneke village on January 22, killing two residents.
• In Agatu, attackers invaded multiple communities on January 23, killing residents and injuring others.
• On February 3, at least 17 people, including a police officer, were killed in attacks on Abande and Anwase communities.
• Another 16 persons were slaughtered on March 5 in Mbaav and Mbachoon communities.
Despite the deteriorating security situation, the Benue State Bureau of Homeland Security, established by Governor Alia in 2024 to coordinate security operations, recorded zero spending in the first quarter of 2026, even though it has a budget allocation of N2.15 billion for the year.
The report also revealed that Benue generated and received N127.18 billion in the first quarter of 2026, including:
• N57.68 billion from FAAC,
• N11.33 billion from internally generated revenue,
• N14.42 billion from grants and aid,
• and N43.75 billion carried over from 2025.
Total government expenditure within the period stood at N82.28 billion.
Of that amount:
• N34.48 billion went to salaries,
• N22.38 billion to recurrent expenses,
• while N25.42 billion was spent on capital projects.
Security analysts have continued to warn that the persistent attacks threaten farming activities, food security and livelihoods in Benue, Nigeria’s acclaimed “food basket.”
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