By SANI DUTSINMA; Editing by BASIRAT MEMUDU
The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with a Hajj seat scam.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
According to the statement, the prime suspect, Aminu Hassan Zauro, alongside three others, Tabiu Abubakar, Usman Attahiru, and Mustapha Sani Zauro, were arrested following a complain received from the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency regarding some intending pilgrims whose names were not found in the Agency’s official records.
The statement adds that, other suspects Bello Jos, Atiku store, Umar Gimba and Usman Bunza are now at large but investigation led to the arrest of Aminu Hassan Zauro, who had no legitimate access to Hajj slots but fraudulently collected the sum of ₦8,600,000 from a victim under the false promise of securing two seats for the 2026 Hajj exercise.
“The suspect also obtained an initial deposit of ₦690,000 from another victim under similar false pretences. In an attempt to conceal the fraud, the suspect procured and presented unauthorized branded Hajj materials, including a Hajj bag, hijabs, wrappers, and fake medical record cards to the victims.
“All the items have been recovered by the Police alongside one Techno Android phone”, the statement reads.
Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Hadejia, however cautioned intending pilgrims to deal only with the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency or its accredited officials.
The CP further directed that, all persons found culpable in connection with the fraudulent Hajj transactions will be prosecuted accordingly.
