Security expert calls for probe into terrorists’ alleged participation in 2026 Hajj

A security expert and coordinator of the Katsina Security Community Initiative, Bashir Kurfi, has called for a thorough investigation into allegations that suspected bandit commanders participated in the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage, warning that the claims raise serious questions about Nigeria’s intelligence gathering and security screening systems.

Kurfi, who spoke on Tuesday during Frontline, a current affairs program on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, stressed that the allegations should neither be dismissed nor accepted without investigation.

According to him, the government has the responsibility to confirm or debunk claims that some suspected bandit leaders traveled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and that some were sponsored by state governments.

“I said there is an allegation that these bandits, many of the commanders, were in Saudi Arabia. There is also another allegation that some of them were sponsored by state governments. Let the government come out and refute this because they are allegations, not confirmed facts,” he said.

Kurfi said the controversy stemmed from an earlier interview with Trust TV, in which he expressed concern over reports that suspected bandit commanders were among Nigerian pilgrims.

He maintained that he had never presented the claims as established fact, but urged authorities to investigate them.

The security analyst noted that while the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security initially denied the allegations, the narrative changed after the Interior Minister reportedly confirmed that suspected terrorists had been arrested upon their return from pilgrimage through Katsina Airport.

“The commissioner initially said there was nothing of the sort. But about 24 hours later, the interior minister confirmed that the terrorists had been arrested upon arrival from Mecca at Katsina airport. That is why a proper investigation is needed,” he said.

Kurfi questioned how individuals suspected of terrorism-related activities could have successfully completed the extensive documentation, verification and screening procedures required for the annual pilgrimage without being flagged by security agencies.

He explained that prospective pilgrims undergo several stages of verification, including documentation, local government authentication and orientation programs before departure.

“With all these processes in place, how could these people get through undetected? That’s the question security agencies should answer,” he said.

He further argued that if public funds were used to sponsor such individuals – or even religious leaders – it would contradict Islamic teachings, which require Muslims to finance their pilgrimage with personal resources.

Kurfi also warned that allowing people linked to terrorism to undertake international religious travel could expose Nigeria to greater security threats, including possible links to foreign extremist groups.

“If the government is serious, thorough screening should be carried out of all those returning from Hajj, whether they are from Katsina, Lagos or any other state. This is necessary to safeguard the country,” he added.

Speaking on the evolution of banditry in northern Nigeria, Kurfi described bandits as organized criminal elements who initially indulged in cattle rustling before expanding into kidnapping for ransom and collaborating with terrorist groups for logistical and financial gains.

According to him, criminal networks have become increasingly sophisticated due to weak law enforcement and prolonged insecurity.

To illustrate the brutality of their operations, Kurfi recounted the kidnapping of a theater nurse’s wife, twins and a five-year-old son from his village.

He said the family spent about two months in captivity despite paying a $5 million ransom, while the kidnappers later demanded another $1 million before releasing the boy.

According to him, the child returned with multiple wounds from cigarette burns, allegedly inflicted by the kidnappers.

Kurfi says many bandits are well known within local communities, insisting that they are not foreigners but residents familiar with the territory.

He said he knew the location of several bandit camps and urged security agencies to step up efforts to dismantle criminal networks.

The security expert, however, provided no evidence to support the allegations of state sponsorship, while the affected state governments have yet to publicly respond to the claims.

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