Zamfara government slams Sahara Reporters over report on security spending

The Zamfara State government has strongly rejected a recent online report by Sahara Reporters that it claims misrepresents the state’s security spending. In a statement issued by Sulaiman Bala Idris, spokesperson to Governor Dauda Lawal, the government dismissed the report—titled “Amid Insecurity, Zamfara Govt Spends ₦30 Million On Internal Security, ₦3.6 Billion On International Travels In 2024”—as a “fake story” designed to mislead the public.

Mr Idris explained that the report selectively quoted figures from the official budget performance document, which is accessible on the Zamfara State government website (www.zamfara.gov.ng). He pointed out that the state’s security spending is divided across several agencies, notably the Ministry of Internal Security and the Office of the Secretary of the State Government.

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According to the budget document, the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, under economic code 012400000000, spent ₦1,011,695,854.50—achieving a performance of 104 per cent in 2024.

Additionally, the document details that ₦1,267,716,000.00 was allocated for Security Services (representing an 80 per cent performance level) and that total security votes amounted to ₦12,519,494,459.00, reflecting a 72 per cent performance. The state also spent ₦500 million on acquiring security equipment, and the Ministry’s total personnel expenditure was recorded at ₦207,947,374.

“It is both a serious concern and laughable to observe how Sahara Reporters has demeaned itself by referring to the ₦30 million allocated for administrative classification as the total expenditure of the Ministry of Internal Security,” Mr Idris remarked.

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He criticised the report for its sensationalism and urged the public to consult the official budget performance document for accurate information.

In total, the budget document confirms that Zamfara State spent ₦14,352,373,550.10 on security in 2024. The government’s statement underscores its commitment to transparency and accountability, inviting the public to verify the correct figures directly through their official online resources.