Katsina Govt. Denies Involvement in Arrests of Suspected Bandits

The Katsina State Government has refrained from commenting on reports regarding the arrest of suspected bandit leaders at Umaru Musa Yar'Adua International Airport upon their return from the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage. Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji Ojo announced the arrest of seven suspects linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The arrests were reportedly made through Nigeria's integrated digital identity and border management system, which connects national identity management with immigration records and Interpol databases. Nasiru Mu'azu Danmusa, the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, stated that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of federal security agencies and that the state government neither carried out nor authorized any arrests at the airport.

He advised journalists to seek further information from the Nigeria Immigration Service. The arrests have ignited public discourse, especially given allegations that some suspects participated in this year's pilgrimage, which the Katsina State Pilgrim Welfare Board has denied, stating they were unaware of any bandits traveling for Hajj.