By Soliu Oyesiji
Concerns are mounting in Katsina State over the alleged displacement of some intending pilgrims who had earlier made substantial deposits for the 2026 Hajj.
Affected pilgrims have accused the Katsina State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board of substituting their names with other individuals, allegedly from the Niger Republic, in the visa processing exercise.
Some of the aggrieved pilgrims claimed that about 37 individuals from Niger Republic were registered and had their visas processed ahead of them, despite having completed their payments before the stipulated deadline.
“We made deposits and some of us even completed payment before the deadline, but we were surprised that we couldn’t get visas,” one of the affected pilgrims said.
“We later learnt that some pilgrims were brought in and issued visas despite paying after us. This is quite painful, especially for those of us who may not have another opportunity to perform the Hajj again,” another complainant added.
However, the Katsina state pilgrims board denied the allegation and accused the intending pilgrims of peddling falsehoods.
Reacting to the allegations, the Public Relations Officer Alh Aliyu Haruna said the board follows all the due procedures in registering pilgrims. There are no Niger pilgrims in Katsina State and I can assure you that all the pilgrims who registered ontime have gotten their visa.
He said His Excellency actually provided money and we paid for seat in advance and how can pilgrims now said he didn’t get visa after making payments.
He further attributed the allegations to those who usually makes hajj payment close to deadline and still expect to be favoured
