An official of the Nasarawa state pilgrim welfare board, identified as Mr. Sagir Mohammed, has allegedly duped 20 intending pilgrims in Nassarawa state of an undisclosed amount of money paid to perform this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
According to the Punch, Mr Mohammed has been given an ultimatum of 24 hours to come out of hiding and provide the money he took from the victims.
The Public Relations Officer of the board, Mr. Abdulrazaq Muhammed, confirmed the incident. He said that the suspect has been working as an ad-hoc worker of the agency for over three years before the incident of fraud.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Nasarawa state, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, in a farewell statement to the 1,468 intending pilgrims from the state, warned them to desist from anything that could tarnish the image of the state, while in the Holy Land.
He said, “This is the kind of act and perception we don’t want in the holy land where we are supposed to go and seek Allah’s mercy and the cleansing of our souls.
“I am very disappointed and angry that such is happening.
“The young man is one Sagir Mohammed from Azara in the Awe Local Government Area.
“He collected money from about 20 innocent pilgrims and disappeared.
“I am disappointed as this situation is worrisome and embarrassing.
“Stealing is a crucial offence, hence the need to emphasize it.
“Therefore, I advice the intending pilgrims to disengage from such act to avert state embarrassment in the Holy Land.”
Al-Makura restated his personal commitment to ensure that the accused face justice if he refused to meet the ultimatum given to him.
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