Fifteen Kwara pilgrims were defrauded of \$500 BTA in Madina. Kwara State Governor ordered a swift investigation and full refund to all affected

A disturbing case of financial fraud has marred the holy journey of fifteen Fulani pilgrims from Kwara State, who were reportedly defrauded of their \$500 Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) in Madina, Saudi Arabia.

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The revelation was made by Alhaji Ismail Bolaji Yahaya, Kwara State’s Amiru Hajj, while addressing journalists in Makkah on Tuesday. According to Yahaya, the incident affected pilgrims who arrived on the first flight to Saudi Arabia.

“Our investigation revealed that some of our Fulani pilgrims were defrauded in Madina, particularly those who came with the first flight,” he stated, noting that the victims are all of Fulani extraction.

The issue came to light following a viral video in which a pilgrim, identified as Mohammed Bello, alleged that he and others were short-changed at the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport in Ilorin.

In the video, Bello claimed the pilgrims received five one-dollar bills instead of five \$100 bills.

Yahaya, however, refuted the claim, affirming the integrity of the process at the point of disbursement. “I make bold to say this allegation is far from the truth because the same process that every pilgrim passed through is the same process that I have passed through personally,” he said.

I make bold to say this allegation is far from the truth… the same process I passed through as Amiru Hajj is what every pilgrim experienced.

He explained that strict security protocols are enforced at the pilgrims’ processing centre. “Every morning, DSS operatives inspect the accounting department. They ensure no accountant enters with any bag or counterfeit currency. Each \$100 bill is counted and handed over individually to pilgrims,” Yahaya said.

He confirmed that each pilgrim from Kwara State was issued \$500 in five \$100 bills. Upon the emergence of the video, the state governor immediately directed a full investigation into the claims.

Yahaya said the probe involved the Board Chairman, the Board Secretary, the Special Adviser on Religion, and other principal officers.

“Up to this hour, only 15 pilgrims have been identified as affected,” he noted. “And on the directive of the governor, we have refunded 500 dollars back to each of these 15 pilgrims.”

The development underscores both the vulnerability of pilgrims and the Kwara State government’s swift response to restore trust and dignity in the sacred exercise.

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The refunded victims are now able to continue their Hajj rites without further disruption.