Hajj: Fraudsters Target Jigawa Pilgrims In Madina
By: Ahmed Aminu, Dutse
Fraudsters suspected to be illegal migrants in Saudi Arabia are targeting pilgrims performing the Hajj for the first time, fraudulently dispossesing them of their basic travelling allowance.
According to the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, some of the fraudsters in Madina are targeting female pilgrims through third party posing as Hajj guides.
A statement by the board’s Public Relations Officer, Malam Habibu Yusuf Babura, said they had received several complaints regarding the extortion of the pilgrims.
He explained that most of those defrauded were women rushing for gold and diamond teeth linings.
Babura stated that the Director General of the Board, Ahmed Umar Labbo, had assured that the board remained committed to protecting the state pilgrims and supporting them in all circumstances.
“The board noted complaints regarding high and inconsistent prices being fraudulently charged some of the pilgrims willing to buy the gold and diamond teeth,” Babura stated.
He added the board had since swung into action to prevent further extortion of the pilgrims.
According to him, the state Amirul Hajj, who is also the Emir of Kazaure, Dr Najib Hussaini Adamu, has commended officials of the board for their timely intervention.
He urged the pilgrims to seek guidance from their centre officers and clerics before engaging in any kind of activity in the Holy Land, and to prioritise supplications and other acts of worship.
