Dr. Bashir Kurfi, Convener of the Katsina Community Security Initiative, has alleged that the Katsina State Government sponsored some notorious bandit leaders to perform the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, paying about **N10 million for each individual**.
Kurfi made the allegation during an interview on Trust TV's live podcast, where he discussed insecurity, government engagement with armed groups, and efforts to address banditry in Nigeria's North-West.
According to him, some bandit leaders have maintained direct contact with government officials and have participated in meetings aimed at resolving the security crisis despite their alleged involvement in violent attacks.
Kurfi identified a suspected bandit leader, Audu Lankai, as one of the most prominent criminal figures operating in Katsina and neighbouring states.
"Audu Lankai is one of the biggest bandits. The government meets with him. The government sits with him. Government allows committees to go and sit and do these kinds of things with them," he said.
He further claimed that the identities and locations of several bandit leaders are well known.
"They are not in the bush or in the rocks. They are staying in places people know. Everybody knows them. Their parents are alive. People know where they come from," Kurfi said.
Kurfi also mentioned another alleged bandit leader identified as Mohammed, claiming he continued to engage with government officials despite being linked to major criminal activities. According to him, some officials viewed Mohammed as someone capable of influencing other armed groups.
The security advocate's most controversial claim was that some notorious bandit leaders were sponsored by the Katsina State Government to perform Hajj.
"In Katsina, it is alleged that the government paid about N10 million for each bandit to go to Saudi Arabia for Hajj," he alleged.
When asked whether he had evidence to support the allegation, Kurfi acknowledged that it remained an allegation but insisted that several suspected bandit leaders were seen in Saudi Arabia during the pilgrimage.
"Let them say that some of these big bandits like Manuri and this guy around the Ranka area were not in Saudi Arabia. Many of them were there. I don't know whether they are back," he said.
Asked whether the alleged sponsorship formed part of a peace-building strategy aimed at encouraging the bandits to renounce violence, Kurfi rejected the suggestion.
"No, maybe to ridicule the religion," he said.
He criticised the alleged move, arguing that individuals accused of killing civilians and security personnel should not be honoured with the title of "Alhaji."
Kurfi also advocated for stronger community-based security structures, saying local vigilantes and security volunteers should be recruited from the communities they protect because residents are better positioned to identify criminal elements.
The allegations come amid ongoing debate over the use of negotiations, amnesty programmes and other non-military approaches by some northern states to address banditry and kidnapping.
The Katsina State Government has not publicly responded to Kurfi's allegations as of the time of filing this report.
