By Adeleye Kunle
Seven intending pilgrims from Kano State who left for Jidda on Thursday were turned back due to fake visas, TrackNews reports.
Five of the deported pilgrims went to Saudi Arabia for hajj via tour operators, while the other two came from the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board.
Dahiru Yau Musa, one of the deported pilgrims, told Daily Trust that he obtained his visa through Quraish Travel Agency, while the remaining four obtained theirs through Mafimishkila Travel and Tours.
He claimed they had no idea they had been given fake visas until they arrived at King Abdulazeez Airport.
“We were in the queue with other pilgrims and when it was my turn, they directed me to stay behind. It was when they finished the screening of other pilgrims, they told me about the fake visa.
“They spoke with NAHCON officials. It took them some time trying to resolve the issue but all to no avail. At the end, we were told that we were being taken back to Nigeria. And the rest is history now,” he narrated.
Lamenting the situation, Dahiru said, “It was really a sad experience. I couldn’t believe it will happen to me. You know as Muslim to see yourself there (Holy Land) and you were taken back to your country is not something easy to comprehend.”
Dahiru vowed to file a lawsuit against the tour operator.
“Since I returned, my tour operator was looking for me to meet with me, but I am avoiding him because I don’t want to hear anything from him until we get to the court.
“Again I will take the issue to Saudi Consulate here so that I can be cleared for future travel,” he added.
Confirming the incident, Alhaji Muhammad Abba Danbatta, Executive Secretary of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, stated that the two deported pilgrims were not from the board but were infiltrated into the list by one of the staff members.
“Around 2:00 a.m., I rushed to the airport and met with two pilgrims, one female and one male, who claimed to be from our Sumaila center.”
“I called the Sumaila center officer, but he didn’t recognize them, and they didn’t recognize him.” We discovered after a thorough investigation that the two pilgrims had been duped by one of our staff members named Abdurrahman. “He gave them fake visas and receipts,” he said.
Danbatta stated that the matter had been reported to the appropriate authorities for further investigation, and that the staff member would face legal consequences.
“As I speak to you now, we have yet to meet with the accused staff because he could not be reached on his mobile phone.”
“However, the case has been turned over to Immigration for further investigation.” I assure you that if he is found guilty, he will face the full force of the law.”
