The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with an alleged multi-million naira Hajj seat scam targeting intending pilgrims in the state.
Police spokesperson, Nafiu Abubakar, said the prime suspect, Aminu Hassan Zauro, was arrested alongside Tabiu Abubakar, Usman Attahiru and Mustapha Sani Zauro during an ongoing investigation into the fraud.
According to the police, the arrests followed a complaint by the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency after officials discovered that the names of several intending pilgrims were missing from the agency’s official records despite claims that payments had been made for Hajj seats.
Investigators alleged that Aminu Hassan Zauro collected about N8.6 million from one victim under the false promise of securing two Hajj slots for the 2026 pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, even though he reportedly had no authorised access to pilgrimage allocations.
Police further revealed that the suspect allegedly obtained another N690,000 from a separate victim using similar promises.
To make the scheme appear genuine, the suspects were said to have distributed unauthorised Hajj materials including branded travel bags, hijabs, wrappers and fake medical cards to victims awaiting confirmation of their travel arrangements.
During the operation, officers recovered several items believed to have been used in carrying out the alleged fraud, including Hajj kits and a Tecno Android phone suspected to contain useful evidence for the investigation.
The command also disclosed that four additional suspects identified as Bello Jos, Atiku Store, Umar Gimba and Usman Bunza remain at large, with efforts ongoing to track and arrest them.
Commissioner of Police, Bello Sani, warned intending pilgrims to avoid dealing with unofficial agents or middlemen. He advised residents to work only with the state pilgrims welfare agency and accredited officials when processing Hajj travel arrangements.
The police say the investigation is continuing and the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of inquiries.
