Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Bornet .k
Several individuals described as "repentant" bandits who were arrested by the Katsina State Police Command after returning from the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage have been released after undergoing police interrogation, according to official investigation documents that have intensified the ongoing controversy surrounding allegations that the Katsina State Government sponsored their pilgrimage.
The case stems from claims made by Dr. Bashir Kurfi, a lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, during a Trust TV interview in which he alleged that the Katsina State Government sponsored some alleged bandit leaders to perform the 2026 Hajj in Saudi Arabia. The allegations generated widespread public debate and prompted the state government to petition the police, leading to criminal charges of defamation and injurious falsehood against the lecturer.
According to police documents obtained by SaharaReporters, investigators questioned the returning pilgrims, community leaders, local government officials, Fulani leaders and representatives of the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board. The records indicate that the individuals identified as "repentant" bandits consistently told investigators they paid for their own Hajj pilgrimage and denied receiving financial sponsorship from the Katsina State Government.
Witness statements submitted during the investigation said the pilgrims were permitted to travel after consultations involving local authorities and the state's Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasiru Babangida Mu'azu. However, witnesses maintained that the government's role was limited to granting security clearance and did not include funding the pilgrimage.
One witness, Salisu Buhari, Chairman of the Peace Accord Committee in Danmusa Local Government Area, told investigators that two of the pilgrims, Ummaru Mainore and Wada Bello (also known as Wada Yellow Matazu), deposited approximately ₦13.394 million to cover their Hajj expenses before travelling to Saudi Arabia. Other witnesses similarly claimed that several participants personally financed their pilgrimage, with some providing payment receipts as evidence.
Police also obtained confirmation from the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board, whose Executive Director, Yunusa Abdullahi Dankama, reportedly supplied investigators with payment receipts, passport details and visa records showing that the pilgrims were officially registered for the 2026 Hajj. According to the investigation documents, the evidence reviewed by police did not establish that the Katsina State Government directly paid the pilgrims' fares.
After completing the interrogation process, the police released the individuals, although the broader investigation into the allegations continued. No criminal charges relating to Hajj sponsorship were announced against the released pilgrims.
The controversy emerged only weeks after Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo disclosed that seven suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders had been arrested at Umaru Musa Yar'Adua International Airport, Katsina, upon their return from the 2026 Hajj. The minister said the arrests were made possible through Nigeria's integrated digital identity and border management system, which links immigration records, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) database and international security platforms. Authorities have not publicly identified those terrorism suspects or announced formal charges against them.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kurfi, who was initially remanded by a Chief Magistrates' Court before later securing bail, has maintained that his claims should have been investigated transparently rather than criminalised. The Katsina State Government continues to deny sponsoring any criminal suspects for the Hajj pilgrimage, describing the allegations as false and misleading.
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