Ola Akinwunmi
In a swift and compassionate response to an unfortunate incident, Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has reimbursed pilgrims from the state who were defrauded of their Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) by unscrupulous individuals in Saudi Arabia. The Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board announced the governor’s intervention on Sunday, while also initiating an investigation into the matter.
According to a statement e-signed by the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, Alhaji Abdulsalam Abdulkadir, preliminary findings suggest that the incidents of fraud likely occurred after the pilgrims had arrived in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Each pilgrim had initially received their $500 BTA in five $100 bills in a public space, under the supervision of Directorate of State Security (DSS) officials, who verified the authenticity of the currency. Pilgrims also signed for their BTA after counting it in the presence of officials.
The Board’s investigation revealed that the victims, predominantly elderly and unfamiliar with foreign currencies, had sought assistance from strangers to convert their funds into Saudi Riyals. These individuals allegedly exploited their vulnerability by swapping the $100 bills with $1 bills under the guise of assisting with currency exchange.
In response to this distressing development, Governor AbdulRazaq “graciously provided for each affected pilgrim to be given $500 to offset their losses,” the statement read. The Board expressed immense gratitude for the governor’s “swift and compassionate intervention.” Further investigations are ongoing to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Beyond the reimbursement, Governor AbdulRazaq also visited the Kwara pilgrims’ hotel in Mecca, where he extended financial support to all pilgrims to assist with their local expenses, a gesture widely appreciated by the Board and the pilgrims.
The Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board also highlighted that similar currency swap frauds have been reported among pilgrims from other states. In light of these incidents, the Board expressed its strong support for the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) proposal to replace cash disbursements of BTA with preloaded debit cards. This move, the Board believes, would “enhance transparency, reduce the risk of theft or fraud, and ensure that all pilgrims—especially the elderly—can manage their funds more securely.”
The Board unequivocally condemned the actions of those who preyed on the goodwill and vulnerability of the pilgrims, appealing to the public for any credible information that could aid in bringing the culprits to justice.
