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.
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.
