Atiku Abubakar's Aide Questions N12.26trn Pipeline Security Fund

Paul Ibe, the media aide to Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the ADC, raised concerns over the reported allocation of N12.26 trillion to private firms for pipeline security. In a statement issued on Monday via social media, Ibe warned that the increasing financial power of private security operators could threaten Nigeria’s national security without proper oversight.

He highlighted the allocation of approximately N6.85 trillion to defense and security in 2025 and a proposed N5.41 trillion for 2026. Ibe demanded details regarding the pipeline surveillance contracts, including payment amounts, beneficiary identities, and supervision mechanisms.

He noted that expenditures on pipeline surveillance might exceed the combined budgets of military and security agencies. Ibe cautioned that private security organizations could gain significant resources and influence without adequate democratic oversight, potentially leading to their deployment for political purposes as the 2027 elections approach.

He referenced Somalia's state collapse in 1991 to illustrate the risks of powerful armed groups challenging legitimate state authority.