Some officials of the Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board have been accused of defrauding pilgrims by giving them only $5 each as Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) instead of the approved $500.
The incident reportedly occurred at the Ilorin airport as the pilgrims were being airlifted to Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj. According to some of the affected pilgrims, the officials handed them five $1 bills, instructing them to conceal the money and not reveal it until after arriving in Saudi Arabia.
One of the victims, Umar Muhammad Bello, told DCL Hausa that they only discovered the true amount when they tried to use the money after arrival.
Another pilgrim, Yaro Bala Maidahini, expressed shock at the deception, calling it an act of wickedness.
Also, Safiyanu Adamu, expressed his dismay by the act.
Efforts to reach the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Pilgrims Board were unsuccessful, but the board’s public relations officer said discussions are ongoing with the state governor over the matter
