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'Repentant' Bandits Arrested After Hajj Released In Katsina After Police Interrogation
'Repentant' Bandits Arrested After Hajj Released In Katsina After Police Interrogation
TERRORISM
The Nigerian Record
7/24/20265 min read
Several individuals alleged to be 'repentant' bandits who were arrested by the Nigeria Police in Katsina State after returning from the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia were later released after giving statements to investigators, according to sources familiar with the matter and official police documents obtained by SaharaReporters.
The development comes amid the controversy surrounding allegations by Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria lecturer and public affairs commentator, Dr. Bashir Kurfi, that the Katsina State Government sponsored some bandit leaders to perform the 2026 Hajj.
Kurfi was subsequently arraigned by the police on charges of defamation and injurious falsehood, remanded in prison by a Chief Magistrates' Court in Katsina on July 8, and released on bail earlier this week.
However, documents exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters show that while the police launched an investigation into Kurfi's allegations, investigators recorded statements from several individuals identified as repentant bandits, Fulani leaders, local government officials and members of peace committees.
A source familiar with the investigation told SaharaReporters that some of the individuals who had travelled for Hajj were arrested upon returning from Saudi Arabia but were later released after making statements.
"Alleged bandits arrested after Hajj were released following police statements," the source said.
According to the source, the suspects were questioned extensively before being allowed to leave.
The controversy centres on whether the Katsina State Government financed the pilgrimage for the individuals or merely approved their participation as part of ongoing peace and reconciliation initiatives in banditry-affected communities.
Police sought evidence from multiple witnesses
Documents obtained by SaharaReporters show that the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) widened its investigation beyond Kurfi's allegation.
In one letter dated July 8, 2026, with reference number CB:3422/KTX/AML/VOL.1/33, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State CID, invited Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasiru Mu'azu, to appear before investigators.
The police also requested that several witnesses be produced, including Danmusa Local Government Education Secretary, Zaharaddeen Umar; Umar Mainore; Wada Bello, popularly known as "Yellow"; the Executive Director of the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board; and other relevant witnesses.
The letter stated that investigations into the complaint had commenced.
In another letter dated July 9, 2026, reference number CR:3000/KTX/GI/VOL.1/35, the police wrote to the Executive Director of the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board requesting detailed records concerning 15 pilgrims.
Investigators specifically requested confirmation of whether the listed individuals actually performed the 2026 Hajj and demanded copies of receipts showing payment for the pilgrimage.
The police listed the following individuals as Umar Ado Danfulani, Lawal Ibrahim, Abdullahi Abubakar, Adamu Usman Danjuma, Iliya Muhammad, Ibrahim Lawal, Ibrahim Lawal Tinau, Ibrahim Gambo and Hassan Bature.
Others are Muazu Lawal, Aminu Abdulrahman, Zainab Iliya, Iliyasu Bello, Umar Manore and Wada Bello.
The letter stated that the investigation related to allegations of "defamation and injurious falsehood" against the Katsina State Government.
Pilgrims Welfare Board confirms Hajj participation
The Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board responded on July 10.
In its reply signed by Executive Director Yunusa Abdullahi Dankama, the Board confirmed that all 15 individuals travelled to Saudi Arabia through the official Katsina State Hajj exercise.
According to the response, the first 13 pilgrims registered through Dutsinma Zone under Safana Local Government, while the remaining two registered through the Headquarters Zone.
The Board also informed investigators that all 15 pilgrims completed payment of their Hajj fares before travelling.
It further stated that all pilgrims departed through the Umaru Musa Yar'Adua Airport in Katsina after passing through all official screening procedures.
The Board enclosed payment receipts, copies of international passports and Saudi Arabian visas for each of the pilgrims to support its response.
Repentant bandits insist they financed pilgrimage
Statements obtained by SaharaReporters show that several individuals identified as repentant bandits consistently denied receiving government sponsorship.
One of them, Umar Ado Dambafashi, a herdsman and farmer, told investigators that he sold 11 cows and bags of grain to finance his pilgrimage.
According to his statement, he raised approximately N7.5 million for the trip.
"Nobody assisted me with a single kobo, talk less of paying the full amount," he told investigators.
Another witness, Lawal Ibrahim, who described himself as one of the repentant bandits granted amnesty, said he initially paid half of his Hajj fare before later completing the balance.
Abdullahi Abubakar similarly stated that he had only N6 million and obtained a loan of about N1.7 million from an acquaintance to complete his payment.
Amadu Usman, a farmer and herder, said he sold three cows and grains after initially raising N4 million, enabling him to complete payment for the pilgrimage.
Ibrahim Gambo, who also identified himself as a repentant bandit benefiting from the state's peace initiative, stated that he paid for his pilgrimage personally after obtaining approval to participate.
Another witness, Ilyasu Mondi, similarly maintained that he financed his own Hajj expenses.
Arrest after return from Saudi Arabia
The statements also revealed that some of the pilgrims were arrested shortly after arriving back in Nigeria.
Abdulkarim Sani, a Fulani leader, told investigators that after his younger brother Hassan Bature returned from Saudi Arabia, he went to the airport to receive him.
According to him, security operatives arrested Hassan Bature together with four others immediately after arrival.
He said they were not informed of the specific offences for which they were arrested.
Witnesses describe peace initiative
Statements recorded by investigators also shed light on Katsina State's ongoing peace and reconciliation programme.
Several witnesses said repentant bandits were required to obtain clearance from community leaders before participating in the Hajj.
Fulani leader Ardo Abdulkarim Abdullahi told investigators that Umar Mainore informed him of his intention to perform Hajj several months earlier.
According to him, he approached the chairman of the Danmusa peace reconciliation committee, Salisu Buhari, who subsequently involved the local government chairman before the matter reached the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs.
He said approval was eventually communicated after consultation with relevant authorities.
However, Abdulkarim insisted that government approval did not translate into financial sponsorship.
"If the government would pay Hajj to them, I would have been included," he stated.
He explained that he personally could not travel because he lacked sufficient funds.
Similarly, Danmusa peace committee chairman Salisu Buhari told investigators that Umar Mainore and Wada Bello jointly deposited over N13 million into a bank account belonging to an intermediary, who subsequently processed the Hajj payments.
According to Buhari, both men completed the pilgrimage and later returned safely.
Businessman Kamaladin Salisu also submitted photocopies of several Hajj payment receipts to investigators.
He told the police that around 10 or 11 repentant bandits and some of their wives participated in the 2026 Hajj after paying their own fares.
He argued that if government had paid for them, they would not have possessed individual payment receipts.
Local government chairman corroborates account
The Chairman of Safana Local Government, Hon. Abdullahi Sani, also denied allegations that government sponsored the pilgrims.
According to his statement, Fulani leaders approached him seeking permission for repentant bandits to participate in the Hajj.
He said he consulted the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, who advised that since the individuals were participants in the state's peace agreement, they could proceed with the pilgrimage after following the necessary procedures.
He maintained that all the listed pilgrims paid their own Hajj fares.
He described claims that the state government financed the pilgrimage as "false information and misleading."
Controversy continues
The investigation followed allegations by Dr. Kurfi that the Katsina State Government sponsored Hajj for some bandit leaders.
Authorities responded by charging the lecturer with defamation and injurious falsehood, maintaining that his allegations damaged the image of the state government.
While the police investigation gathered statements and documentary evidence from multiple witnesses, the broader public controversy surrounding the state's peace initiatives with repentant bandits has continued to generate debate across Katsina State and beyond.
The police have yet to publicly announce the outcome of their investigation into the allegations.