Kebbi: 0ver 200 intending pilgrims would not perform this year’s exercise

Over 200 Kebbi state intending pilgrims who were yet to received their visa would miss this year’s Hajji exercise.

Peoples Daily gathered that, while visiting the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport and Hajji Camp yesterday, when some affected intending pilgrims complained that they have completed paying their money since last year but that the Hajji officials have now informed them that their name is not among those that would perform the exercise.

Malam Mohammed Usman, who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity, said that he is from Arewa local government area and that he paid over N700, 000 to the local government LPO but that now he has been informed that his name is not among those that would perform this year Hajj exercise.

‘’See what damages the local government area authorities did to me? And all of them have run away; not only me, there are some other people from other local governments areas that were also affected. Some chairmen connived with the LPO and spent our money, but Allah would not forgive them’’, he lamented.

Peoples Daily gathered that yesterday, the state command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC),Kebbi state chapter has ordered the arrest of the chairman, Kebbi State Pilgrims Board, Alhaji Shema and the Director in-charge of Operations, over the complaints of the people concerning their visa and money.

Confirming the issue when he visited the office of the NSCDC, the state commander denied the allegation, adding that it was a mere speculation, ‘’I don’t know of this and I did not send anybody to go and arrest the chairman’’ he said.

Efforts towards getting the reaction of the state chairman proved abortive while the officials of the Board refused to comment on the issue.