The Katsina State Government has uncovered 3,488 ghost workers, certificate forgers, underage employees, and other payroll fraudsters across its 34 local government councils and Local Education Authorities.
The discovery followed a biometric screening exercise conducted by a verification committee led by Abdullahi Gagare. Presenting the findings at the State Executive Council meeting, Gagare said 50,172 workers were screened, of which 46,380 were verified.
The remaining 3,488 were struck off the payroll for presenting fake credentials, absconding from duty, engaging in fraud, or failing to appear before the committee.
“The committee uncovered serious irregularities including falsification of birth dates, fake certificates, underage employment, ghost workers, absenteeism, illegal promotions, and cases where staff positions were sublet,” Gagare said.
He added that the committee recovered N4.6 million from staff drawing salaries from both state and federal agencies, as well as six individuals who continued receiving pay while on leave of absence.
In one case, the education secretary of Zango Local Education Authority and his accomplices presented 24 ghost workers for screening.
Governor Dikko Radda, who received the report, directed the immediate drafting of a white paper for implementation of the recommendations. He said the reforms would save the state from “the grip of a few” and free up funds for grassroots development.
According to him, local governments in Katsina have already saved about N500 million, a figure projected to rise to N5.7 billion with full implementation.
“Many warned me that this committee’s work could damage my politics and cost me elections. But I was not worried, because the situation in Katsina required reforming the system and doing the right thing,” he said.
Radda commended the committee for credible results despite political pressure, describing the exercise as a bold step towards restoring accountability.
