Fraud by Pilgrim in Mecca- Holy Land
An Islamic scholar, Prof. Imam Abubakr Ali-Agan of the University of Ilorin, has sounded the alarm over rising cases of fraud involving some Nigerian pilgrims in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Speaking in a video obtained by FCNN over the weekend, Prof. Ali-Agan—currently on pilgrimage—decried the actions of individuals exploiting fellow pilgrims under the guise of offering help with currency exchange.
“It’s disheartening,” he said. “The Nigerian government supports each pilgrim financially, yet some individuals have turned this sacred journey into a criminal enterprise. They deceive others using stacks of $1 bills.”
He cited a recent case involving an elderly pilgrim from Yobe State who was defrauded by a fellow Nigerian. The man handed over $500 for currency conversion, only to receive five $1 bills in return. It wasn’t until he visited a legitimate exchange center that he realized he had been duped.
Prof. Ali-Agan condemned the act as a disgrace to the nation and a violation of the spiritual essence of the pilgrimage.
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“This is not just a crime, it’s a betrayal of faith and fellow countrymen,” he stated. “Pilgrims must be cautious. Only deal with authorized officials for currency exchange. Don’t trust strangers with your money.”
He also warned that such acts could lead to diplomatic issues and spiritual consequences.
In a related development, the Department of State Services (DSS) recently arrested Sani Galadi, an alleged kidnap kingpin, at the Sultan Abubakar International Airport in Sokoto. Galadi was attempting to leave for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage when he was caught during a routine screening.
A top official at the Sokoto Pilgrims Welfare Agency confirmed the arrest, noting that Galadi was not registered with the state’s pilgrimage board. He remains in custody pending further investigation and possible charges.
