EXCLUSIVE: Kwara Government To Spend N1.4billion On Vehicles For Lawmakers, N350million As Security Vote Amid Rising Terrorism

A SaharaReporters' review of the approved Kwara State budget for the 2025 fiscal year has revealed that only N350 million was allocated by the state government as security votes for the year.

In contrast, the budget allocates significantly more for vehicle purchases for lawmakers and legislative officials.

According to the budget review, a total of N867 million was earmarked for the purchase of vehicles for Honorable members, the Clerk of the House, the Secretary of the Kwara State House of Assembly Commission, and other departments in the House of Assembly.

Additionally, another N569 million was budgeted for the procurement of Prado Jeeps for presiding officers, a Toyota Hiace 16-seater bus, and Hilux vehicles — all for the House of Assembly.

This prioritisation of legislative vehicle purchases over security spending comes amid rising insecurity in the state.

On July 14, SaharaReporters reported that terrorists suspected to be members of the Mahmuda sect attacked Kemanji village in the Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The attackers slaughtered one person and reportedly abducted an unknown number of residents.

A source who spoke to SaharaReporters on Monday said the gunmen stormed the village in the early hours, unleashing terror on the locals.

Although the exact number of those kidnapped could not be confirmed, the source revealed that several people may have been taken away by the assailants.

The incident adds to a growing list of attacks across the Kwara North and South Senatorial Districts, where bandits have repeatedly targeted rural communities.

On June 3, SaharaReporters, citing multiple sources, reported that the group carried out an attack on Duruma village in the Baruten Local Government Area of the state.

"Mahmuda militants killed our people in Duruma village of Baruten Local Government Area in Kwara state today (Tuesday). A week before now, they set fire to a farm settlement,” one of the sources said.

In April, SaharaReporters reported that the Mahmuda group emerged in Kwara State, affecting communities in Kaiama Local Government Area—such as Kemaanji, Tenebo, Baabete, Nuku, and Nanu—as well as Baruten Local Government Area, particularly villages in the Yashikira District.
"They called themselves Mahmuda group.

"Their leader in a voice note is threatening all the communities. They kill and kidnap victims and also demand ransom,” one of the sources said.

Another source added, “The surge of insecurity in Nigeria has been a source of concern to the citizenry because of its destructive factor to livelihood, and unfortunately, new militant groups continue to emerge and occupy the ungoverned spaces in the country.

“With the Kainji Lake National Park left unguarded, the loggers, fishermen, and hunter groups take the opportunity and start enjoying the common good of the citizens for their personal gain,” the source said.

There have been growing concerns about state expenditure priorities, with increasing criticism that governments are spending more on frivolous items rather than addressing the real needs of the people.