Katsina Sacks 3,488 Workers, Recovers ₦4.6m from Salary Fraudsters After Biometric Audit
The Katsina State Government has dismissed 3,488 workers across its 34 Local Government Councils (LGCs) and Local Education Authorities (LEAs) following a sweeping biometric screening exercise that uncovered widespread payroll fraud and administrative malpractice.
The exercise, which screened a total of 50,172 personnel, verified only 46,380 staff, while the rest were flagged for issues ranging from forged credentials and ghost postings to chronic absenteeism and outright refusal to appear for the audit.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda received the report during Wednesday’s State Executive Council meeting, describing the findings as both disturbing and validating. “We have been in the system for a long time, and we know these things exist,” he said. “Many warned me this might damage my politics or cost me elections, but I was not worried. Katsina needs reform.”
The 10-member Biometric Screening Committee, led by Abdullahi A. Gagare, revealed multiple irregularities including falsified birth certificates, underage employment, unauthorized promotions, and instances of workers subletting their positions. The audit also led to the recovery of ₦4.6 million from employees who were either drawing double salaries or receiving pay while officially on leave.
One of the most serious cases involved the Education Secretary of Zango LEA, who was allegedly involved in the insertion of 24 ghost workers into the payroll — an act the committee described as a “serious breach of trust.”
The governor stated that the audit marks the creation of the first unified digital database of LGC and LEA staff in the state’s history. If fully implemented, the report’s recommendations could save the state approximately ₦453.3 million monthly.
Governor Radda also directed that the committee’s findings be translated into a White Paper for full-scale implementation. He disclosed that savings from the exercise have already hit nearly ₦500 million and are projected to grow to ₦5.7 billion.
“Despite high revenue allocations, many local governments in Katsina still struggle to pay salaries,” Radda said. “Councils like Kafur, Malumfashi, and Daura carry disproportionately heavy wage bills, mainly because of non-genuine workers.”
He emphasized that purging the payroll system of fraud will free up vital funds for grassroots development. “I did this to save the state from the grip of a few. This is how we can have money to work for the general people in our local governments.”
The screening committee comprised four retired Permanent Secretaries and six Directors, supported by 16 co-opted members and security operatives.