The Kwara State Government has taken swift action, reimbursing pilgrims who fell victim to a currency scam during their Hajj trip. This follows a revealing SaharaReporters investigation.

The initial report, published on May 25, 2025, highlighted how some elderly pilgrims were defrauded. Scammers swapped their legitimate $100 bills for $1 notes while assisting with currency exchange in Saudi Arabia.

Professor Imam Abubakr Ali-Agan, a University of Ilorin lecturer and fellow pilgrim, bravely exposed this unscrupulous scheme, detailing the vulnerabilities exploited.

The Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims' Welfare Board confirmed that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq swiftly intervened, providing $500 to each affected pilgrim to offset their losses, showcasing compassionate leadership.

To prevent future fraud, the Board supports the Central Bank of Nigeria's proposal for preloaded debit cards instead of cash disbursements for Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), aiming for enhanced transparency and security.

Investigations are ongoing to bring the culprits to justice. The Board strongly condemns these predatory actions against vulnerable pilgrims.

Source: https://saharareporters.com/2025/06/15/after-saharareporters-report-kwara-govt-reimburses-pilgrims-defrauded-1-bills-during