HAJJ: NAHCON TO INVESTIGATE EXTORTION OF FUNDS FROM PROSPECTIVE PILGRIMS
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The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that it will look into allegations that some licensed tour operators coerced some intending pilgrims into paying extra money under the pretense that NAHCON had asked them to in order to swiftly airlift them.
In response to a widely shared video in which the accusation was made by a prospective pilgrim, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, chairman and chief executive officer of NAHCON, denied soliciting or collecting money from any pilgrim.
He stated that the matter would likely be forwarded to the anti-graft agency for investigation.
“Well, we should look into it” (allegation). However, if the claims are accurate, there will undoubtedly be consequences.
“Definitely, we will invite the security and investigation organizations,” Hassan stated.
“The National Hajj Commission does not levy fees on a single person. We don’t even take money from the state.
“We will thoroughly research this when we get home.” I’ll say it out loud: Neither the states nor tour operators collect any money from anyone for the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria’s operations.
“Their bosses will be accountable for that,” he said.
Nevertheless, Hassan stated that the committee worked to bring all registered pilgrims to Saudi Arabia “since every pilgrim is our own.”
The NAHCON CEO expressed concern that some intended pilgrims could not be airlifted to Saudi Arabia to complete this year’s Hajj but claimed that despite the commission’s frantic efforts, it was not possible to airlift all registered pilgrims.
He claimed that although the commission had an agreement with the Saudi airline FlyNas for a rescue operation, by the time Nigeria was given a two-day extension to airlift all pilgrims, it was already too late because the airline had dispersed its staff.
FlyNas truly had faith in our ability to do the rescue. However, as soon as the gate was legally shut, FlyNas returned their crew back to their respective nations.
“So when we told them about our attempts (to acquire an additional two days), they stated they had disbanded their group and that there was no manner in that short of a time because they were from different nations,”
However, Hassan reassured individuals who were unable to attend the 2022 Hajj that NAHCON is prepared to refund their costs right away and that those who do not choose to do so will be given precedence the next year.
We understand how difficult it must have been for everyone who was unable to attend, and we have resolved to find them and make sure they receive their money as soon as we get home.
In fact, we’re prepared to give you your money back before we leave for home. The NAHCON chairman promised to give them priority if they refused to collect their money, as we saw during Hajj.
There were 1,809 intended pilgrims who did not participate in the Hajj exercise.
Included in the information are 700 pilgrims from Kano State. There were 12 pilgrims from Bauchi State, 97 from Plateau State, and over 1000 from tour operators.
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