The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has expressed deep concern over the continuing killings in Plateau State despite the huge sums reportedly released as security votes by the state government, demanding an immediate explanation of how the funds have been deployed to protect citizens.
HURIWA said the latest revelation that Plateau State released N18.9 billion in security votes in 2024 and another N17.28 billion between January and September 2025 cannot be ignored against the background of the continuing attacks and killings of innocent citizens across the state.
The rights group said the issue is not simply about the size of the security vote but about accountability, transparency and measurable security outcomes.
HURIWA therefore asks the Plateau State Governor: What exactly is the government doing with these massive security votes if citizens continue to be killed and communities remain vulnerable to attacks?
The question becomes even more compelling because the Governor has publicly acknowledged the severity of the killings and insecurity confronting the state.
HURIWA said it is not accusing the Plateau State Government of diverting or misappropriating the funds. However, the enormous public expenditure on security creates a legitimate obligation for the government to demonstrate what the money has achieved.
The association’s position follows a Saturday PUNCH analysis of state budget implementation reports showing that 10 states—Borno, Plateau, Ondo, Ebonyi, Katsina, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Edo, Bayelsa and Delta—could collectively spend about N140 billion on security votes in 2026 if the current pattern continues.
The analysis showed that 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, they reportedly released N87.87 billion from a collective provision of N127.36 billion.
HURIWA finds it troubling that security expenditure continues to rise in the face of persistent killings, kidnappings and attacks in several parts of the country.
Security votes are intended to assist governors in responding to security emergencies, intelligence gathering and rapid-response operations. But where billions of naira are released without detailed public disclosure of their utilisation, citizens are left with legitimate questions about the effectiveness and accountability of such spending.
HURIWA consequently calls on the Plateau State Government to provide citizens with a broad, transparent account of how its security votes have been deployed, including the security interventions financed by the funds and the measurable outcomes recorded.
While operational details that could compromise security operations need not be disclosed, the government should be able to account for the public resources entrusted to it.
HURIWA also calls on the Plateau State House of Assembly and other relevant oversight institutions to strengthen their scrutiny of security expenditure and demand evidence that appropriated funds are producing tangible improvements in the protection of lives and property.
The association recalls that citizens do not merely need budgetary announcements; they need security that can be felt in their communities.
HURIWA therefore urges the Plateau State Government to urgently review its security strategy, strengthen intelligence-led operations, improve protection for vulnerable communities and ensure that perpetrators of attacks are arrested and prosecuted.
The Governor must wake up to the urgency of the situation and stop the killings of Plateau citizens.
HURIWA insists that no security vote, no matter how large, should become a substitute for transparency, accountability and effective protection of human lives.
Signed:
Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko
National Coordinator
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)
22nd September, 2026
