Katsina Group Condemns Police Arrest Of Bashir Kurfi, Demands His Release

The Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita Campaign Organisation has condemned the arrest of security analyst and public affairs commentator, Dr. Bashir Kurfi, describing it as a blatant violation of his rights and freedom of speech.

Kurfi, who is the Convener of the Katsina Community Security Initiative (KCSI), has been prominent in public discourse on banditry and insecurity in the North-West, frequently calling for stronger measures to address the worsening security situation in Katsina State and the region.

He recently stirred controversy after alleging that the Katsina State Government paid about ₦10 million each to sponsor some notorious bandit leaders to perform the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. The Katsina State Government denied the allegation and challenged him to provide evidence to substantiate the claim.

Reacting to his arrest, the campaign organisation, in a statement signed by Abubakar Ahmed, alleged that Kurfi’s arrest by the police on Tuesday was “in furtherance of the APC leadership in the state to silence all voices that attempt to checkmate its operations.”

According to the organisation, Dr. Kurfi has remained at the forefront of advocacy, consistently urging the Katsina State Government to do more to safeguard the lives and property of residents.

The statement said, “Dr. Kurfi, a social critique for all the ills in Katsina State and indeed the Nigerian State, has recently alleged that the Katsina State Government had used public funds to sponsor some bandits to perform the just-concluded 2026 Hajj rites in Saudi Arabia.

“We expected both the state government and the security agencies to respond in a convincing manner to the allegations rather than resorting to intimidation through his arrest.

“His continued detention raises serious concerns about the commitment of the authorities to the constitutional rights of citizens to express their opinions and demand accountability from those in public office.”

The organisation maintained that if the authorities believe Dr. Kurfi has committed any offence, due process should be followed.

“On his honour, therefore, we urge in strong terms that Dr. Kurfi should be released from police detention and, where necessary, be charged before a court of competent jurisdiction rather than being subjected to prolonged detention,” the statement added.

The organisation further called on the Katsina State Government to exercise restraint and avoid actions capable of overheating the political atmosphere, noting that the state is only a few weeks away from the commencement of political activities, including election campaigns.

It also appealed to security agencies to remain professional and non-partisan in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.

“While calling on the state government to restrain itself from overheating the political atmosphere as we have only a few weeks ahead of political activities, including campaigns, we also wish to call on all security agencies to be apolitical, maintain law and order, and not allow themselves to be lured by those in power into truncating the next electoral cycle,” the statement said.