The Kaduna State Government says it has identified over 13,000 suspected ghost workers in the state civil service.

The Head of Service, Mrs Alisabatu Dada-Onazi, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the end of the state executive council meeting.

She explained that the ghost workers were uncovered after series of verification exercises were conducted to ascertain the actual number of genuine civil servants on the Kaduna State Government payroll.

The Head of Service pointed out that the decision to embark on the verification exercise was informed by the disturbing amount of money being paid as workers’ salaries every month, whereby government spends all its allocation from the federation account on overhead costs.

She vowed that all those involved in the criminal act would be prosecuted accordingly.

Following the verification exercise, Mrs Dada-Onazi said that the number of workers in the state civil service has been reduced from over 88,000 to 75,726.

She, however, apologised to all who suffered hardship while the exercises lasted. (Channels TV)

•Photo shows Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai.