Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has reimbursed pilgrims defrauded in a foreign currency scam during this year's Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. The intervention was disclosed by the state's Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board on Sunday.

In an e-signed statement by Executive Secretary Alhaji Abdulsalam Abdulkadir, the board confirmed that an investigation is underway into the incident, which reportedly involved some pilgrims losing their Basic Travel Allowance (BTA). The governor's administration had provided each pilgrim with $500 in BTA, distributed as five $100 bills in a public space under the supervision of state security officials to verify authenticity.

The board stated that the governor prioritised the welfare of affected pilgrims, ensuring their financial security despite the scam. It also reiterated confidence in the security measures implemented to protect Nigerian pilgrims abroad.

"Each pilgrim signed for the collection of their BTA after counting it in the presence of pilgrims' board officials and the DSS."

The board, responding to viral videos from Saudi Arabia, said preliminary findings indicated the fraud likely occurred after arrival in Medina.

"Upon seeing the viral video in which some of our pilgrims said they had received five one-dollar bills instead of the five one-hundred-dollar notes, our preliminary findings suggest that these incidents likely occurred after the pilgrims had arrived in Medina, Saudi Arabia," the board said.

"In several cases, the affected individuals mostly elderly and not familiar with foreign currencies had sought help from strangers to convert their funds into Saudi Riyals.

"These unscrupulous individuals apparently took advantage of their vulnerability by swapping $100 bills with $1 bills under the guise of assisting them with currency exchange," it added.

The board announced the intervention of the governor to mitigate the impact of the scam on the pilgrims.

"In response to this unfortunate development, His Excellency Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has graciously provided for each of the affected pilgrims to be given $500 to offset the losses they incurred.

"We ask Allaah to reward His Excellency's swift and compassionate intervention," the statement added.

The board also highlighted the governor's earlier support visit to pilgrims in Mecca, during which he extended financial assistance to all pilgrims for their local expenses.

"Similarly, the governor had visited the Kwara pilgrims' hotel in Mecca during which he extended financial support to all pilgrims to support their local expenses.

"The board and all pilgrims express our gratitude for this kind gesture," the statement added.

In the wake of similar fraudulent incidents among pilgrims from other states, the board expressed support for the Central Bank of Nigeria's proposed reform to disburse BTA through preloaded debit cards instead of physical cash.

"This will enhance transparency, reduce the risk of theft or fraud, and ensure that all pilgrims especially the elderly can manage their funds more securely," the board stated.