The Katsina State Government has distanced itself from the reported arrest of suspected bandit leaders at the Umaru Musa Yar'Adua International Airport, Katsina, saying it has no role in the operation and cannot comment on the matter.

The reaction follows an announcement by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, that seven suspected commanders of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were arrested at the airport on June 18 after returning from the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage.

Tunji-Ojo disclosed the arrests at the Presidential Villa in Abuja shortly after President Bola Tinubu signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law.

According to the minister, the operation was made possible through Nigeria's integrated digital identity and border management system, which connects the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), immigration records and Interpol databases.

"I'm happy to tell you that last Thursday (June 18), seven known commanders of Boko Haram and ISWAP were arrested at the point of returning from Mecca in Katsina and handed over to the DSS," Tunji-Ojo said.

The minister, however, did not disclose the identities of the suspects or clarify whether they travelled on Nigerian passports, how they obtained travel clearance, or if they had previously been on security watchlists.

Responding to the development, the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Mu'azu Danmusa, said the matter falls entirely within the jurisdiction of federal security agencies.

"These are security and administrative matters handled by federal agencies. The state government is not in a position to confirm or deny the reported arrests," Danmusa said.

He advised journalists to seek clarification from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Department of State Services (DSS).

 "Journalists should contact the Nigeria Immigration Service and the DSS for accurate information," he added.

Danmusa also noted that border control, passenger screening and intelligence operations are the exclusive responsibilities of federal authorities.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Bala Salisu Zango, said he had no knowledge of the reported arrests.

"I am not aware of any arrest of bandit kingpins returning from Saudi Arabia," Zango said.

The reports have sparked fresh debate in Katsina following earlier allegations that some suspected bandits performed this year's Hajj through the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board.

Political analyst Dr. Bashir Kurfi had alleged during a Trust TV programme that some suspected bandit leaders, including a notorious kingpin, were sponsored for the pilgrimage through the state.

 "Many bandits, including Monore, were allegedly sponsored by the Katsina State Government and went to Hajj. This raises serious questions about the screening process," Kurfi said.

The Katsina State Government has consistently denied the allegation.

Meanwhile, a source within the Nigeria Immigration Service reportedly told newsmen that arrests were made at the airport but claimed those detained were suspected bandit leaders rather than Boko Haram or ISWAP commanders.

 "Some of those arrested were suspected bandit leaders, not Boko Haram or ISWAP commanders. Some citizens of the Niger Republic were also among those arrested after returning through Katsina Airport," the source said.

Another source familiar with the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board alleged that several suspected bandits travelled for the 2026 Hajj through the state's official pilgrimage arrangement, citing weaknesses in the screening process.

The source claimed that some suspects from Dutsinma, Katsina and Jibia travelled with family members and aides after registering through agents.

However, the Executive Director of the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Yunusa Abdullahi Dankama, dismissed the allegations.

 "I am not aware of any bandits who performed this year's Hajj through the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board. I am also not aware of any arrests linked to the pilgrimage," Dankama said.