The Edo State Government spent N14.48 billion on security votes and related services between January and September 2026, despite releasing no capital funds to the Ministry of Public Security and Safety, which is responsible for coordinating security operations across the state.

Figures contained in the state’s third-quarter 2026 Budget Performance Report show that N11.31 billion was spent on security votes and operations during the nine-month period, representing 66.1 per cent of the N17.11 billion budgeted for the purpose.

Another N3.17 billion went into security services from a separate allocation of N4.05 billion, representing 78.3 per cent of the approved budget.

Despite the substantial expenditure on security-related activities, the Ministry of Public Security and Safety received no capital funding, although N250 million had been allocated for capital projects in the 2026 budget.

The ministry also received only 24.8 per cent of its N650 million overhead allocation by the end of September.

Several planned projects consequently remained without funding, including the procurement of body cameras, fire suits, breathing apparatus and security equipment for the Edo State Security Corps and Command.

Other unfunded projects included the establishment of a safety and security information database and a mobile validation system.

The funding gap has raised questions about the state’s security spending priorities, particularly as the ministry is responsible for coordinating public safety operations, emergency response infrastructure and security information management.

Edo has continued to grapple with kidnapping, attacks on communities and criminal activities along major highways.

In January 2026, residents of Ekpoma and neighbouring communities protested rising kidnappings, disrupting economic activities and blocking a federal highway.

Back in August, police rescued four people abducted along the Lagos-Benin Expressway after armed men reportedly attacked motorists around the Ugbokun axis.

Police also announced in September that 13 suspected kidnappers had been arrested and nine victims rescued across the state during August.

The state government has acknowledged the security challenges, with Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Festus Ebea, saying in June that forest guards and members of the Edo State Security Corps were being deployed to strengthen security across the state’s 18 local government areas.