How Kwara Pilgrims Were Swindled Of BTA In Saudi Arabia

The Kwara State Pilgrims Welfare Board has explained how some pilgrims from the state to the 2025 Hajj in Saudi Arabia were swindled of their basic travelling allowance ( BTA) by unscrupulous elements.

The board explained that its investigation showed that the fraud was perpetrated in Madinah. The unscrupulous elements took advantage of the pilgrims, especially the elderly, under the guise of helping them change their dollar BTA bills to Saudi Riyals.

The board’s clarification followed a viral video in which some pilgrims from the state lamented that they didn’t receive their $500 BTA bills in full.

However, the secretary of the Kwara State Pilgrims Welfare Board, AbdulSalam AbdulKadir, said in a statement yesterday that all pilgrims from the state received their $500 BTA bills in full before leaving Ilorin in the presence of the operatives of the Director of the State Service ( DSS) and pilgrims board officials.

He further disclosed that the state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who was also in Saudi Arabia, graciously awarded $500 to each of the affected pilgrims.

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The statement reads:” The Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board has investigated a recent incident involving some of our pilgrims who were reportedly defrauded of their Basic Travel Allowance (BTA).

“Every pilgrim was given their $500 BTA in five $100 bills in the public space and under the supervision of officials of the Directorate of State Security who ensured that the currency was original. Each pilgrim signed for the collection of their BTA after counting it in the presence of pilgrims’ board officials and the DSS.

“Upon seeing the viral video in which some of our pilgrims said they had received five one-dollar bills instead of the five one-hundred-dollar notes, our preliminary findings suggest that these incidents likely occurred after the pilgrims had arrived in Medina, Saudi Arabia.

“In several cases, the affected individuals—mostly elderly and not familiar with foreign currencies— had sought help from strangers to convert their funds into Saudi Riyals. These unscrupulous individuals apparently took advantage of their vulnerability by swapping $100 bills with $1 bills under the guise of assisting them with currency exchange.

“Further investigations are ongoing to expose the criminals behind this evil act.

“In response to this unfortunate development, His Excellency Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has graciously provided for each of the affected pilgrims to be given $500 to offset the losses they incurred. We ask Allaah to reward His Excellency’s swift and compassionate intervention.

“Similarly, the Governor had visited the Kwara pilgrims’ hotel in Mecca during which he extended financial support to all pilgrims to support their local expenses. The Board and all pilgrims express our gratitude for this kind gesture.

“With the fraudulent currency swap having been reported among pilgrims from other states of the Federation, we support the Central Bank of Nigeria’s proposal to replace cash disbursements of BTA with preloaded debit cards.

“This will enhance transparency, reduce the risk of theft or fraud, and ensure that all pilgrims—especially the elderly—can manage their funds more securely.

“We strongly condemn the actions of those who preyed on the goodwill and vulnerability of our pilgrims. We also welcome any credible information that may assist in bringing the culprits to justice.”