Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, has reimbursed Hajj pilgrims from the state who fell victim to a foreign currency scam while on pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, the state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board confirmed on Sunday.
In a statement signed by Executive Secretary Alhaji Abdulsalam Abdulkadir, the board revealed that an investigation was launched into reports that some pilgrims were defrauded of their Basic Travel Allowance (BTA).
“Every pilgrim was given their $500 BTA in five $100 bills in a public setting under the supervision of Directorate of State Security officials, who ensured the currency was genuine. Each pilgrim signed for their BTA after counting the money in the presence of officials,” the statement said.
The board responded to viral videos from Medina where some pilgrims claimed to have received five $1 bills instead of $100 notes. Preliminary findings suggest the fraud likely occurred after the pilgrims arrived in Medina, when elderly pilgrims sought help from strangers to exchange dollars into Saudi Riyals. These individuals reportedly swapped the $100 bills for $1 notes.
In light of the scam, Governor AbdulRazaq intervened promptly, providing each affected pilgrim with $500 to compensate their losses. “We ask Allah to reward His Excellency’s swift and compassionate intervention,” the board added.
The governor had previously visited Kwara pilgrims in Mecca, offering financial assistance to support their local expenses a gesture warmly appreciated by the board and pilgrims alike.
The board also expressed support for the Central Bank of Nigeria’s proposed reform to distribute BTA via preloaded debit cards rather than physical cash.
“This will improve transparency, reduce theft and fraud risks, and help pilgrims, especially the elderly, manage their funds more securely,” the statement concluded.
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