Dikko Umaru Radda exposes 3,488 ghost workers in Katsina, saving over half a billion naira as he vows reforms despite political warnings

The revelation followed a biometric verification exercise ordered by the governor, who described the findings as a turning point in his administration’s anti-corruption drive.

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While receiving the report on Thursday, Radda admitted he had been warned by political associates that the probe could “damage his politics”.

But he was emphatic: “I am not worried about politics. The system in Katsina is rotten and must be reformed. I am determined to do what is right for the people.”

The governor said the crackdown had already saved over half a billion naira for local governments, with even greater savings expected once the report’s recommendations are fully enforced.

He directed the immediate conversion of the findings into a White Paper for transparent implementation.

Committee chairman Alhaji Abdullahi Gagare disclosed that of 50,172 workers screened, 46,380 were cleared while 3,488 were disqualified for fraud.

Offences ranged from fake credentials and falsified ages to absenteeism, double salaries and outright refusal to appear before the panel.

The committee further revealed that full implementation could save the state N453.3 million each month.

An additional N4.6 million was recovered from officers who had been drawing salaries from both state and federal payrolls, while six others were caught receiving pay while officially on leave.

Perhaps most alarming was the case of an Education Secretary who colluded with staff to create 24 ghost workers in a brazen attempt to bypass the verification process.

Gagare condemned the act as a “serious breach of trust and abuse of office” and urged swift disciplinary and legal action.

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In his closing remarks, Dikko Umaru Radda stressed that the message was clear: “This is how we save money to work for the people, not for a corrupt few.”