Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with a multi‑million‑naira Hajj seat fraud that targeted intending pilgrims ahead of the 2026 pilgrimage. The arrests followed complaints from victims and the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, the command’s spokesman, SP Bashir Usman, said in a statement in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.
The prime suspect, Aminu Hassan Zauro, was taken into custody alongside Tabiu Abubakar, Usman Attahiru, and Mustapha Sani Zauro. One other suspect, Bello Jos, was also arrested, while Atiku Store, Umar Gimba, and Usman Bunza remain at large.
According to the police, Zauro fraudulently collected ₦8.6 million from a victim after promising to secure two Hajj seats for the 2026 pilgrimage. He also obtained an initial deposit of ₦690,000 from another victim under similar false pretences. Zauro had no legitimate access to Hajj slots and was not affiliated with the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency. To lend credibility to his deception, he supplied victims with unauthorised branded Hajj materials, including a Hajj bag, hijabs, wrappers, and fake medical record cards.
The scam came to light when some intending pilgrims could not find their names on the official list of approved pilgrims, even though they were in possession of the purported Hajj materials. That discovery triggered the police investigation.
Police recovered from the suspects a Tecno Android phone and all the fraudulent Hajj items.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Umar M. Hadejia, has directed that all persons found culpable in connection with the fraudulent transactions be prosecuted. He also advised members of the public to deal only with the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency or its accredited agents, noting that many people fall victim to such schemes annually.
The command assured that efforts are ongoing to arrest the other suspects still at large.
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