Nigeria, Aug. 19 -- The Imo State Government under Governor Hope Uzodimma spent N2.19 billion on security-related services in the first half of 2026, even as the state recorded a 14.4 per cent overall budget performance following a significant revenue shortfall.

The expenditure comprised N877.5 million spent under security votes, including operations (57.5 per cent of the N1.53 billion provision), and N1.31 billion spent on security services (37.3 per cent of the N3.51 billion budgeted for the item).

The figures are in the Imo State 2026 Second Quarter Budget Performance Report, which PREMIUM TIMES reviewed.

The spending comes on the heels of a series of security incidents across the state between January and June, including killings, ...