As Nigeria continues to grapple with a complex web of insecurity characterized by various forms of violence, including terrorism, banditry, and inter-ethnic conflicts, investigation by Sharpedgenews.com has revealed how Nigerian officials including some state governors, top security officials and others are enriching themselves with resources meant to tackle the menace of terrorism in the country.
Sharpedgenews.com has traced Nigeria’s severe and multifaceted insecurity crisis that threatens the safety and well-being of its citizens to corruption that has permeated into the fabric of stakeholders in the Nigeria’s security architecture.
Investigation by Sharpedgenews.com has shown that even some state governors are even using insecurity in their various states to enrich themselves.
Sharpedgenews.com gathered that aside security votes, other budgetary allocations aimed at combating insecurity in the country end up in the pockets of some government officials and even those in the military, police, other security agencies and stakeholders are smiling to banks as they continue to benefit from the menace of insecurity the Nigeria.
Our findings revealed that security situation in the country has escalated dramatically, with various forms of violence, including terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, and ethnic conflicts, becoming commonplace across the nation.
Today, Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast has resulted in a humanitarian disaster, while the northwest struggles with armed banditry and Southeast/South-south struggle to deal with militants and Biafra agitators. The situation in Southwest is equally not palatable as it grapples with armed robbery, kidnappings, cybercrime and others.
Causes Of Insecurity
The roots of this insecurity can be traced back to historical ethnic tensions and political corruption, which have fostered a climate of distrust and violence since Nigeria’s independence in 1960.
The government’s inability to effectively combat these threats has led to widespread fear and a significant decline in foreign investments, with an estimated $40.6 billion diverted due to security concerns.
Northern Nigeria
Today, northern Nigeria is characterized by various forms of violence, including terrorism, banditry, and inter-ethnic conflicts.
Insurgency and Terrorism
Groups like Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), have significantly destabilized the Northeast, leading to widespread violence and displacement.
These groups emerged from a critique of Western education and have since evolved into major threats to security and stability.
Banditry
This has escalated in the Northwest, where armed groups engage in violent attacks, kidnappings, and cattle rustling. The historical roots of banditry have transformed, exacerbated by modern weaponry and the breakdown of traditional social structures.
Herders-Farmers Conflicts
Environmental degradation and competition for resources have intensified clashes between herders and farmers, often taking on ethnic and religious dimensions, which complicates the security landscape further.
Socioeconomic Factors
The high levels of poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy contribute to the insecurity, as marginalized populations become vulnerable to recruitment by criminal groups. Corruption and weak governance had further undermined security efforts.
Increase In Defence Budgetary Allocation Investigation by Sharpedgenews.com shows that despite a substantial increase in budget allocations for security, the situation continues to deteriorate, with Nigeria ranking 146th out of 163 countries on the Global Peace Index. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive reforms in governance, education, and economic opportunities to create a more secure and stable environment for all Nigerians.
In 2021, the defence budget stood at N966.4 billion, rose to N1.2 trillion in 2022 and then to N1.383 trillion in 2023. The Defence budget for 2024 is N1.647 trillion, about 5.7 % of the entire 2024 budget. Similarly, in 2021, N455 billion was budgeted for the Police, N559 billion in 2022 and N838 billion in 2023. In 2024, the Police budget stands at N969.6 billion.
Over the past five years, the allocation of the Army increased by 191.19 per cent, NSCDS rose by 32 per cent and the Airforce budget jumped by 74.53 per cent. Also, the budget for the Navy increased by 87.19 per cent, the Defence headquarters budget rose by 1550.5 per cent and the Ministry of Defence budget jumped by 129.1 per cent.
Meanwhile, the Police command had a budget of N366.13 billion in 2019, after which it became a ministry in 2020. Between 2020 and 2023, the ministry’s budget increased by 104.7 per cent.
In 2024, Tinubu increased the allocation to 11 security agencies and ministries by seven per cent. Despite these increases, insecurity has grown to become Nigeria’s greatest challenge.
Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Airforce, the Nigeria Navy, the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Defence Headquarters and the Ministry of Defence Headquarters all had increment in security allocations.
On The Zamfara Leaked Memo
Just last week, a leaked memo from Zamfara state further shows how Nigerian officials are enriching themselves from the menace of security in the country.
The purported memo suggests this payment was intended to facilitate media promotion of the state government’s “reconciliation efforts” amidst the escalating insecurity and its struggle against marauding terrorists and bandits, with the funds allegedly sourced from the State Security Trust Fund.
However, the publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore whose media outfit was mentioned as one the beneficiaries has denied ever collecting any money from Zamfara state government. He accused Tinubu’s government of trying to discredit and tarnish the reputation of SaharaReporters due to its unwavering commitment to exposing corruption and governmental malfeasance, which has evidently become an eyesore to the administration.
Sowore, while reacting to reports of the letter addressed to Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State and signed by the Secretary to Zamfara State Government, Mallam Abubakar M. Nakwada, asking the governor to provide funds to finance the state government’s reconciliation programme with bandits in order to bring the menace of bandits to an end.
“Though, Zamfara State government has unequivocally refuted allegations of funnelling N1.378 billion from the State Security Trust Fund to notorious terrorist groups and media promoters. This alleged transaction was reportedly disguised as a legitimate expenditure for “reconciliation efforts.”
Part of the letter reads, “His Excellency may wish to take the cognisance of the fact that the level of insecurity in the state has now reached that of a dangerous cancer worm that has ravaged the fabrics of our social and psychological existence.
“In view of this urgent need and the directives by Your Excellency to provide funds to finance the state government reconciliation programme with bandits in order to bring the menace to an end, I wish to submit the proposal as follows for Your Excellency’s kind approval:
Bandits Kingpins
“Kachalla Dogo Gide = N200,000,000; Kachalla Bello Turji = N200,000,000; Ado Alero = N200,000,000; Kachalla Halilu Sububu = N150,000,000; Gwaska Dan Karami = N150,000,000.
Media Promoters
Sahara Reporters = N100, 000,000; Jackson Ude = N158,000,000; Bashir Hadejia = N100,000,000; Shuaibu Mungadi = N50,000.000; Tijjani Lamaran = N50,000,000; Danbilki Kwamanda = N20,000,000; Total = N1,378, 000,000.”
Findings by Sharpedgenews.com have revealed that Nigerian officials have used this kind of methods to siphon public funds in the guise of fighting the menace of insecurity in the country.
A top security expert who doesn’t want his name mentioned told Sharpedgenews.com that insecurity in the country will continue as it has become another avenue for some people to make money.
“Do you know how many of such memos that have approved and only for the funds to end up in the accounts of some individuals. See how they even tried to frame media to validate fraudulent action.”