…Governor Replaces Stolen $500 Allowances, Backs CBN Card System

The Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board confirmed elderly pilgrims were defrauded of their Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) in Medina, Saudi Arabia. This follows a viral video showing pilgrims claiming they received five $1 bills instead of $500.

Board investigations revealed each pilgrim originally collected five authentic $100 bills in Nigeria under Directorate of State Security supervision. Victims signed receipts after counting cash alongside officials. The fraud occurred later in Medina when vulnerable pilgrims sought currency exchange help from strangers who swapped $100 notes for $1 bills.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has provided $500 to each affected pilgrim to offset losses. During a separate visit to pilgrims in Mecca, he also gave additional financial support for local expenses. The Board expressed gratitude for these interventions.

With similar fraud reported nationwide, the Board endorsed the Central Bank of Nigeria’s proposal to replace cash BTA with preloaded debit cards. This system aims to prevent theft, enhance transparency, and protect elderly pilgrims.

Investigations continue to identify the perpetrators. The Board condemned the exploitation of pilgrims and requested public assistance for justice.