Katsina Govt Mum On Alleged Arrest Of Bandit Leaders After Hajj, Refers Questions To DSS, Immigration

The Katsina State Government has declined to comment on the reported arrest of suspected bandit leaders at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport, Katsina, following their return from the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage.

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had disclosed that seven suspected commanders of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were arrested at the airport on June 18 and handed over to the Department of State Services.

The minister made the revelation at the Presidential Villa shortly after President Bola Tinubu signed the National Identity Management Commission Act 2026 into law.

According to him, the arrests were made possible through Nigeria’s integrated digital identity and border management system, which links the National Identity Management Commission database with immigration records and Interpol.

“I’m happy to tell you that last Thursday, seven known commanders of Boko Haram and ISWAP were arrested at the point of returning from Mecca in Katsina and handed over to the DSS,” Tunji-Ojo had said.

However, the minister did not disclose the identities of the suspects or explain how they were able to travel for the pilgrimage.

Reacting to the development, the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Mu’azu Danmusa, said the matter falls exclusively within the jurisdiction of federal security agencies.

Speaking with BBC Hausa and later Daily Trust, Danmusa stressed that the state government neither conducted nor authorised any arrest at the airport.

“These are security and administrative matters handled by federal agencies. The state government is not in a position to confirm or deny the reported arrests.

“Journalists should contact the Nigeria Immigration Service and the DSS for accurate information,” he said.

He explained that border control, passenger screening and intelligence operations remain the exclusive responsibility of federal authorities.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Bala Salisu Zango, said he had no knowledge of any such arrests.

“I am not aware of any arrest of bandit kingpins returning from Saudi Arabia,” he stated.

The reported arrests have continued to generate public debate in Katsina, particularly following earlier allegations that some suspected bandits participated in this year’s Hajj through the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board.

Political analyst Dr. Bashir Kurfi had earlier alleged during a Trust TV programme that some notorious bandit leaders were sponsored for the pilgrimage by the state government.

“What we are seeing is disturbing. Many bandits, including Monore, were allegedly sponsored by the Katsina State Government and went to Hajj. This raises serious questions about the screening process,” Kurfi had alleged.

The state government has repeatedly denied sponsoring any bandit for the pilgrimage.

A source within the Nigeria Immigration Service, however, told Daily Trust that arrests were indeed made at the airport but claimed those apprehended were suspected bandit leaders rather than Boko Haram or ISWAP commanders.

“Some of those arrested were suspected bandit leaders, not Boko Haram or ISWAP commanders.

“Some citizens of the Niger Republic were also among those arrested after returning through Katsina Airport,” the source said.

Another source close to the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board also alleged that several suspected bandits travelled for this year’s Hajj through the state’s official pilgrimage arrangement due to lapses in the screening process.

The source claimed that some suspects from Dutsinma, Katsina and Jibia local government areas travelled with their families and aides through agents who facilitated their registration.

However, the Executive Director of the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Yunusa Abdullahi Dankama, dismissed the allegations.

“I am not aware of any bandits who performed this year’s Hajj through the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board. I am also not aware of any arrests linked to the pilgrimage,” he said.