The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested four suspects over an alleged Hajj seat scam involving millions of naira and the circulation of fake Hajj materials.
- +Police arrest four suspects over Hajj seat scam in Kebbi
The Command said the prime suspect, Aminu Zauro, was arrested alongside Tabiu Abubakar, Usman Attahiru, and Mustapha Sani Zauro, while other suspects identified as Bello Jos, Atiku Store, Umar Gimba, and Usman Bunza are currently at large.
The Command said the prime suspect, Aminu Zauro, was arrested alongside Tabiu Abubakar, Usman Attahiru, and Mustapha Sani Zauro, while other suspects identified as Bello Jos, Atiku Store, Umar Gimba, and Usman Bunza are currently at large.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Bashir Usman, the arrests followed a complaint from the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency after some intending pilgrims discovered that their names were missing from the agency’s official records.
“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 statement said.
The police added that the suspect also collected an initial deposit of ₦690,000 from another victim using similar false pretences.
“In an attempt to conceal the fraud, the suspect procured and presented unauthorised branded Hajj materials, including a Hajj bag, hijabs, wrappers, and fake medical record cards to the victims,” the statement added.
According to the Command, all the fake materials were recovered, along with a Techno Android phone, during the operation.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Kebbi State, Umar M. Hadejia, cautioned intending pilgrims against dealing with unauthorised individuals for Hajj arrangements.
“The Commissioner of Police has cautioned intending pilgrims to deal only with the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency or its accredited officials and guides, noting that many people fall victim to such fraudulent schemes annually,” the statement noted.
The police commissioner further directed that all suspects found culpable in connection with the alleged fraud be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
