Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has refunded pilgrims from the state who lost their Basic Travel Allowance to scammers in Saudi Arabia.
The Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board announced the development in a statement on Sunday. The statement, signed by the board’s Executive Secretary, Alhaji Abdulsalam Abdulkadir, confirmed that the victims had received new payments, and an investigation had begun into the scam.
The board explained that each pilgrim had earlier received their $500 BTA in five $100 notes before leaving Nigeria. The money was given out publicly, under the supervision of officials from the Directorate of State Security, who confirmed the money was genuine.
“Every pilgrim was given their $500 BTA in five $100 bills in the public space and under the supervision of DSS officials, who ensured that the currency was original,” the statement said. “Each pilgrim signed for the money after counting it in the presence of the board and DSS officers.”
The board said problems began after the pilgrims arrived in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Some elderly pilgrims were reportedly scammed when they asked strangers to help change their dollars into Saudi Riyals.
“Our findings suggest these incidents likely happened in Medina,” the board said. “The victims, mostly elderly people unfamiliar with foreign currency, were tricked by strangers who swapped their $100 bills for $1 bills.”
A video showing one of the affected pilgrims holding five $1 notes instead of five $100 bills had gone viral, causing concern among Nigerians.
To help the victims, Governor AbdulRazaq stepped in and provided new $500 payments to each affected pilgrim.
“In response to this unfortunate development, His Excellency Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has graciously provided for each of the affected pilgrims to be given $500 to offset their loss,” the board said.
The board thanked the governor for his quick and kind support.
They also reminded the public that the governor had earlier visited the pilgrims in Mecca and offered financial support to all of them for their daily expenses.
“During his visit to the Kwara pilgrims’ hotel in Mecca, the governor gave financial support to help with their local expenses. We thank him for this kind gesture,” the board added.
Reacting to similar scams affecting pilgrims from other states, the board backed a new plan by the Central Bank of Nigeria to stop giving BTA in cash.
“The CBN’s plan to use preloaded debit cards for travel allowance instead of physical cash will help improve safety and reduce the risk of fraud, especially for elderly pilgrims,” the board said.
