The abduction of a traditional ruler in Ondo State has further highlighted Nigeria's worsening security challenges, coming at a time when fresh data revealed that the Federal Government spent N57.78 billion on security-related projects and operations in the first four months of 2026.
The monarch, Baale Adeniyi Adelana of Ode-Oriya Village in Owo Local Government Area, was kidnapped by suspected terrorists who invaded his palace late Saturday night.
According to reports, the gunmen, numbering about six, stormed the community under the cover of darkness and forcefully entered the monarch's residence before taking him away through a nearby forest.
His wife sustained a gunshot injury to her right hand during the attack and was subsequently rushed to a hospital, where she is receiving treatment.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Ondo State Police Command, Abayomi Jimoh, said security operatives had commenced a coordinated rescue operation to secure the monarch's release.
He disclosed that the Divisional Police Officer in Owo mobilised personnel to the area immediately after receiving a distress call, while tactical and intelligence units had been deployed to forests and suspected hideouts in search of the abductors.
Jimoh added that the Commissioner of Police had directed intensified operations across Owo and neighbouring communities to ensure the perpetrators were apprehended and brought to justice.
The latest incident comes amid growing concerns over the country's security situation, with a police report indicating that at least 98 criminal incidents were recorded nationwide within the last seven days.
The report showed that the incidents included 37 homicide cases, 27 banditry attacks, 24 kidnappings, eight armed robbery incidents, and two terrorism-related attacks across various states.
Among the major incidents recorded during the period was the abduction of 39 residents in Zamfara State after they reportedly entered the Fadama Forest to negotiate peace with a notorious bandit leader, Jimo Smally.
In Katsina State, armed bandits reportedly blocked the Katsina-Kankara highway and intercepted a commercial vehicle carrying 11 passengers. While security operatives later rescued nine victims, two persons remained unaccounted for.
The spate of attacks has persisted despite increased government spending on security.
Data obtained from the Open Treasury Portal showed that the Federal Government spent N57.78 billion on security-related projects between January and April 2026, representing a 127.97 per cent increase over the N25.35 billion spent during the same period in 2025.
The expenditure covered defence equipment procurement, security infrastructure, military barracks, police facilities, and other security-related projects.
Analysis of the spending showed that N21.39 billion was devoted to defence equipment procurement, accounting for the largest share of the expenditure. Another N14.16 billion was spent on security equipment, while N5.84 billion went into the construction of military barracks.
The government also expended N5.17 billion on police stations and barracks, N3.26 billion on rehabilitation of defence equipment, N2.39 billion on defence facilities, and N2.16 billion on repairs of military barracks.
In addition, N3 billion was spent on security services, while N320.94 million was released as security votes.
However, records showed that only 1.24 per cent of the N4.66 trillion security allocation in the 2026 budget had been utilised as of April.
Notably, no expenditure was recorded under the budget provision for "Operation Lafiya Dole and Other Operations of the Armed Forces," despite a N500 million allocation. Similarly, no funds had been released for the kitting of military personnel, although N2.53 billion was budgeted for the programme.
Security experts have expressed concern over the continued rise in criminal activities despite the increased spending.
Security analyst Lekan Jackson-Ojo described the current situation as one of the most severe security crises in the country's history, warning that insecurity poses a serious threat to economic growth and national stability.
According to him, the nation has continued to suffer significant security setbacks, while the government's response has failed to inspire confidence.
Jackson-Ojo also criticised the policy of reintegrating repentant terrorists into society and accused the political class of focusing more on electoral campaigns than on addressing the country's security emergency.
Another security analyst, Chidi Omeje, argued that the military remained overstretched due to multiple operations being conducted across the country.
He noted that the cost of modern military operations and equipment is enormous, insisting that the funds released so far may be insufficient considering the scale of the security challenge.
Omeje maintained that military action alone would not solve the problem, urging the government to address the underlying causes of insecurity, including poverty, corruption, poor governance, unemployment, and weak border control.
He also linked the growing threat to instability across the Sahel region and Nigeria's porous borders, which he said have enabled the movement of armed groups and criminal elements into the country.
As security agencies intensify efforts to rescue the abducted Ondo monarch, the latest figures have once again raised questions about the effectiveness of current security measures and the urgent need for more decisive action to curb violent crimes across the country.
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