In Kwara State, insecurity has remained a major challenge, with residents frequently killed and properties destroyed in repeated attacks by bandits and other non-state actors.
Last week, at least 162 persons were killed by rampaging bandits in Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.
A report by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) noted that between January and November 2025, Kwara State recorded 207 deaths from bandit attacks, while 177 persons were kidnapped during the same period.
In September 2025, bandits were reported to have attacked a Hybrid Force camp in Oke Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state, killing 12 persons in the process.
In the same month, gunmen were reported to have invaded Chekugi village in the Lafiagi Emirate of Edu Local Government Area. The attackers had earlier struck the Matoku area of Patigi Local Government Area of the state.
In April 2025, the Kwara State Police Command confirmed an attack on Edu Local Government Area. Gunmen were said to have invaded Chekugi village in the Lafiagi Emirate of the state, killing seven persons.
Despite these figures, the Kwara State Government under Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq failed to release funds earmarked for security equipment, according to a detailed budget performance report covering January to September 2025, contained in documents reviewed by SaharaReporters.
A review by SaharaReporters shows that in 2025, a sum of N3 billion under the Ministry of Finance was budgeted for the ‘purchase of security equipment.’ However, between January and September 2025, when multiple attacks were recorded, no funds were released for this purpose.
Similarly, another sum of N20 million budgeted for ‘security gadgets’ to curb insecurity was not released. Also, N75 million budgeted for the purchase of patrol motorcycles for forest guards and security agencies to curb insurgencies was not released.
Billions On Luxurious Vehicles In Nine Months
While funds for security equipment were not released, the state government spent billions of naira on vehicles within the same nine-month period.
Between January and September 2025, a total of N578 million was spent on the ‘purchase of 33 Nos Toyota Saloon Cars (Corolla Hybrid)’ for public office holders.
Another N1.4 billion was spent on the purchase of motor vehicles for all MDAs, including Toyota Fortuna, Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota High Roof Bus, Toyota Hiace, Toyota Hilux and Toyota Coaster Bus.
In addition, N398 million was expended on the ‘purchase of one Land Cruiser ‘Jeep’ (SUV) for Grand Khadi, 2 Hilux CR, DCR and Chief Register’s Office, Toyota Cruiser for 3 nos DCR and 2 nos Directors.’
The state government also spent N1.2 billion on the purchase of Toyota Corolla (2025 model) for Magistrates and Area Court judges.
These purchases gulped N3.5 billion in nine months.
Billions Spent On Hotels
Beyond vehicles, the state government also spent heavily on hotel projects. Between January and September 2025, a total of N3.1 billion was spent to rehabilitate Kwara Hotels, while the rehabilitation of Patigi Hotels cost N113 million.
These expenditures came at a time when the state failed to spend on security equipment, even as residents in several communities were forced to flee their homes due to persistent bandit attacks.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that amid raging insecurity in the state, the Abdulrazaq-led administration also spent billions of naira on foreign trips, according to official budget documents.
A full-year 2025 budget performance document reviewed by SaharaReporters showed that N3.2 billion was released by the state government for international travels alone.
This figure excludes international trips classified under training, as the review focused strictly on foreign travels outside training categories, based on classifications in the budget documents.
Between October and December 2025, a three-month period, the state reportedly spent N1.8 billion on foreign trips, translating to an average of N600 million monthly. On a weekly basis, the state expended an estimated N50 million on international travels during the period.
These developments come despite repeated assurances by the Kwara State Government that it is committed to tackling insecurity, even as calls persist for the Federal Government to fulfil its constitutional responsibility of ensuring security across all parts of the country.