In a sweeping move to sanitize its public payroll and uphold fiscal discipline, the Katsina State Government has announced the dismissal of 3,488 workers found to be fraudulently receiving salaries. The action follows a comprehensive audit and verification exercise aimed at eliminating ghost workers and curbing systemic payroll fraud.
The exercise, spearheaded by the Office of the Head of Service in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, revealed widespread irregularities in salary disbursement across multiple government departments. As a result, the state successfully recovered ₦4.6 million from individuals who had been illegally drawing salaries.
“This is a decisive step toward restoring integrity and accountability in our civil service,” said Alhaji Usman Idris, Katsina State Head of Service. “We are committed to ensuring that public funds are used transparently and only for legitimate purposes.”
Governor Dikko Umar Radda commended the audit team for their diligence and reaffirmed his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption. He emphasized that the recovered funds would be redirected toward critical development projects, including education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
“We cannot afford to let a few individuals sabotage the future of millions,” Governor Radda stated. “This cleanup is not just about recovering stolen funds—it’s about restoring public trust.”
The Katsina State Government has pledged to continue its verification efforts and introduce biometric systems to prevent future payroll fraud. Disciplinary actions and legal proceedings are also underway for those implicated in the scheme.