₦453m to be saved monthly as ₦4.6m recovered from salary fraudsters in
Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda has received the long-awaited report of the Biometric Screening Committee on Local Government Councils and Local Education Authorities staff, exposing widespread fraud, ghost workers, and abuse of office.
The report, which screened 50,172 workers, verified 46,380 staff and removed 3,488 unqualified employees for presenting fake certificates, absconding from duty, or refusing to appear before the panel.
According to the Committee Chairman, Abdullahi A. Gagare, the exercise uncovered falsified birth dates, underage employment, double salaries, absenteeism, and illegal promotions. In the most shocking revelation, the Education Secretary of Zango LEA was found to have created 24 ghost workers, a move the Committee described as a gross abuse of trust.
The screening exercise also recovered ₦4.6 million from officers drawing double pay from state and federal agencies, including six workers who continued to collect salaries while on leave of absence.
Governor Radda, while receiving the report, said the findings would save the state ₦453.3 million monthly and eventually boost local government savings to ₦5.7 billion.
“Despite high allocations, many councils still struggle to pay salaries because of fraudulent practices. This exercise was necessary to free the system from the grip of a few and ensure resources work for the people,” the Governor declared.
He commended the Committee for resisting political pressure and pledged that the report would be turned into a White Paper for full implementation.
“I was warned this move could damage my politics, but I chose to do the right thing. Katsina deserves a clean system,” Radda added.
The biometric exercise, the first of its kind in the state, has created a unified digital database of LGC and LEA staff — a milestone Governor Radda said would transform grassroots administration.
The Committee comprised 10 members, including four retired Permanent Secretaries and six Directors, supported by 16 co-opted staff and security operatives. The report was formally presented at the State Executive Council meeting attended by top government officials.
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