The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has expressed concern over the continued killings in Plateau State despite the huge sums reportedly released as security votes by the state government. In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA demanded greater accountability in the utilisation of the funds. The association said the revelation that the Plateau State Government released N18.9 billion in security votes in 2024 and another N17.28 billion between January and September 2025 could not be ignored against the backdrop of continuing attacks and killings across the state.
According to HURIWA, the issue was not merely about the size of the security votes but also about accountability, transparency and measurable security outcomes. The rights group asked the Plateau State Government to explain how the funds had been deployed to protect citizens. This question had become more pressing given the governor’s public acknowledgment of the severity of killings and insecurity confronting the state. HURIWA stressed that it was not accusing the state government of diverting or misappropriating the funds.
An analysis of state budget implementation reports showed that 10 states, including Plateau, could collectively spend about N140 billion on security votes in 2026 if the current spending pattern continued. The 10 states released about N80 billion in 2024, representing 72.2 per cent of the N110.8 billion budgeted for security votes. In the first nine months of 2025 alone, the states reportedly released N87.87 billion from a collective provision of N127.36 billion.
HURIWA said it was troubling that security expenditure continued to rise amid persistent killings, kidnappings and attacks in different parts of the country. Security votes were intended to enable governors to respond to security emergencies, support intelligence gathering and facilitate rapid-response operations. However, the absence of detailed public disclosure on the utilisation of billions of naira left citizens with legitimate questions about the effectiveness and accountability of such spending.
The association called on the Plateau State Government to provide citizens with a broad and transparent account of how its security votes had been deployed, including the interventions financed with the funds and the measurable outcomes achieved. While acknowledging that operational details capable of compromising security operations might need to remain confidential, HURIWA said the government should still be able to account for the public resources entrusted to it.
HURIWA also urged the Plateau State House of Assembly and other relevant oversight institutions to strengthen scrutiny of security expenditure and demand evidence that appropriated funds were producing tangible improvements in the protection of lives and property. Citizens needed more than budgetary allocations and announcements; they needed security that could be felt in their communities. The group urged the state government to urgently review its security strategy and strengthen intelligence-led operations.
The association maintained that no security vote, regardless of its size, should become a substitute for transparency, accountability and effective protection of human lives. HURIWA urged the Governor to wake up to the urgency of the situation and stop the killings of Plateau citizens. The group said citizens needed security that could be felt in their communities, and that perpetrators of attacks should be arrested and prosecuted.
Key points
- HURIWA demands accountability in Plateau State security spending
- Plateau State Government released N18.9 billion in security votes in 2024 and N17.28 billion in 2025
- 10 states could collectively spend N140 billion on security votes in 2026
