Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with a Hajj seat fraud that saw two intending pilgrims defrauded of a total of N9.29 million under the guise of securing them slots for the 2026 pilgrimage. The command's spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, on Friday, May 29, 2026. 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 despite being in possession of what appeared to be official Hajj materials.
The prime suspect, Aminu Hassan Zauro, was arrested alongside three others: Tabiu Abubakar, Usman Attahiru, and Mustapha Sani Zauro. Four other accomplices – identified as Bello Jos, Atiku Store, Umar Gimba, and Usman Bunza – are currently at large and being pursued by the police. According to police investigations, Zauro, who had no legitimate access to Hajj slots, fraudulently collected the sum of ₦8.6 million from one victim under the false promise of securing two seats for the 2026 Hajj exercise. The suspect also obtained an initial deposit of ₦690,000 from another victim under similar false pretences.
In a calculated attempt to conceal the fraud, Zauro procured and presented unauthorised branded Hajj materials to the victims, including a Hajj bag, hijabs, wrappers, and fake medical record cards. All the fake materials were recovered by the police, along with a Tecno Android phone believed to have been used in the operation. The Commissioner of Police in Kebbi State, CP Umar M. Hadejia, has since cautioned intending pilgrims to deal only with the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency or its accredited officials, noting that many people fall victim to such fraudulent schemes annually. The commissioner further directed that all persons found culpable in connection with the fraudulent Hajj transactions be prosecuted accordingly.
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