By Deji Abdulwahab
The Kwara State Amiru Hajj, Alhaji Ismail Bolaji Yahaya, has revealed that 15 pilgrims from the state were defrauded of their $500 Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) while in Madina, Saudi Arabia.
Speaking to journalists in Makkah on Tuesday, Yahaya said investigations carried out by the Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and other stakeholders confirmed that the victims—mostly of Fulani origin—arrived in Madina with the first flight.
He was responding to a viral video in which a pilgrim, Mohammed Bello, and others claimed they were handed five $1 notes at Ilorin airport instead of five $100 bills.
“They alleged the board’s accounting department gave them $5 instead of $500. I make bold to say this is false,” Yahaya stated.
According to him, the same disbursement process used for all pilgrims was applied to the victims.
He added that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) oversee the entire currency distribution to ensure transparency, with accountants thoroughly searched before entering the office.
“Every pilgrim was handed five $100 bills under strict DSS supervision. The process is transparent and secure,” he said.
Yahaya disclosed that following the governor’s directive, an in-depth probe was conducted in conjunction with key board officials and government appointees.
So far, 15 affected pilgrims have been identified and refunded the full $500 each by the state government.
“Despite the baseless allegations, we’ve resolved the issue and reimbursed the victims, as instructed by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq,” Yahaya confirmed.
