Security analyst and civil society advocate Bashir Kurfi has been detained by the Katsina State Police Command after making controversial allegations against the Katsina State Government during a televised interview.
Kurfi, who convenes the Katsina Security Community Initiative, honoured a police invitation on Tuesday by reporting to the command headquarters for questioning. However, what began as an interview with investigators ended with his detention following a petition linked to comments he made on Trust TV.
During the interview, Kurfi alleged that the Katsina State Government sponsored some former bandit leaders to perform this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, claiming that about N10 million was spent on each pilgrim. He also questioned the effectiveness of peace deals with armed groups, alleging that certain former bandit leaders benefited from government support. He did not provide evidence to back the allegations.
Speaking after his detention, Kurfi said police questioned him about his activities as a civil society advocate before informing him that a petition had been filed against him over the television interview. He said he declined to make any further statement until his legal representatives were present.
According to Kurfi, he was later taken to court, but proceedings had already closed for the day. He was subsequently returned to police custody and is expected to be arraigned on Wednesday.
The arrest was first made public by North-West conflict reporter Bakatsine, who disclosed the development in a post on his X account after Kurfi appeared before the police.
The Katsina State Government had earlier rejected Kurfi’s claims, describing the allegations as false and lacking any factual basis. The government challenged him to produce credible evidence to support his statements and warned that legal action would be taken if he failed to substantiate the accusations.
The case has drawn attention to the growing tensions between government authorities and civil society voices over security issues in Katsina State, where efforts to tackle banditry and negotiate peace with armed groups have remained subjects of intense public debate.
