Security Advocate Alleges Katsina Government Sponsored Notorious Bandit Leaders to Saudi Arabia for Hajj at N10 Million Each

Fresh controversy has emerged over the handling of insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West after a security advocate alleged that the Katsina State Government sponsored some notorious bandit leaders to perform the Muslim pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
The allegation was made by Dr. Bashir Kurfi, Convener of the Katsina Community Security Initiative, during a live interview on Trust TV, where he discussed government engagement with armed groups and efforts to combat banditry in the region.
Kurfi claimed that several notorious bandit leaders have maintained direct contact with government officials and have participated in meetings and negotiations despite being linked to violent attacks across Katsina State and neighbouring areas.
Citing the example of a suspected bandit leader identified as Audu Lankai, Kurfi alleged that government officials regularly engage with individuals widely known within local communities as leaders of armed criminal groups.
According to him, many of the individuals accused of leading bandit networks are not hidden from public view, arguing that their identities, family backgrounds, and locations are known to residents and authorities.
The most startling claim during the interview was Kurfi’s allegation that the Katsina State Government paid approximately N10 million per person to facilitate the Hajj pilgrimage for some notorious bandit leaders.
“In Katsina, it is alleged that the government paid about N10 million for each bandit to go to Saudi Arabia for Hajj,” Kurfi stated during the interview.
When pressed to provide evidence, Kurfi acknowledged that the claim remained an allegation but insisted that several individuals identified locally as notorious bandits were seen in Saudi Arabia during the pilgrimage period.
He mentioned names including Audu Lankai, Manuri, and another individual operating around the Ranka axis, alleging that they participated in the pilgrimage despite their notoriety.
Kurfi dismissed suggestions that the alleged sponsorship formed part of a peace-building initiative aimed at encouraging armed groups to renounce violence.
Instead, he questioned the moral implications of facilitating religious pilgrimages for individuals accused of murder, kidnapping, and attacks on civilians and security personnel.
The security advocate also renewed calls for stronger community-based security arrangements, arguing that local vigilante groups and volunteer security outfits are often better positioned to identify and monitor criminal elements operating within their communities.
His remarks have reignited debate over the use of negotiations, amnesty programmes, and other non-kinetic approaches by some northern states in addressing banditry and mass kidnappings.
As of the time of this report, the Katsina State Government had not issued an official response to the allegations. No independent evidence has been publicly presented to substantiate the claim that government funds were used to sponsor bandit leaders for Hajj.
The allegations are likely to fuel further scrutiny of government strategies for tackling insecurity in the North-West, where communities continue to grapple with recurring attacks, abductions, and violent criminal activities.