Saudi Arabia has deported no fewer than seven intending pilgrims from Kano State who arrived in Jidda with fake visas.

Five of the pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia for Hajj through tour operators while the two others followed common procedure of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board.

Dahiru Musa, a returned pilgrim, told The Star that he secured his visa through Quraish Travel Agency while the other four got theirs from Mafimishkila Travel and Tours.

He said they did not know they were issued fake visas until they landed at the King Abdulazeez Airport.

“We were in the queue with other pilgrims and when it was my turn, they directed me to stay behind. It was when they finished the screening of other pilgrims, they told me about the fake visa.

“They spoke with NAHCON officials. It took them some time trying to resolve the issue but all to no avail. At the end, we were told that we were being taken back to Nigeria. And the rest is history now.

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“It was really a sad experience. I couldn’t believe it will happen to me. You know as Muslim to see yourself there (Holy Land) and you were taken back to your country is not something easy to comprehend,” he said.

Musa further vowed to file a suit against the tour operator in court.

“Since I returned, my tour operator was looking for me to meet with me, but I am avoiding him because I don’t want to hear anything from him until we get to the court.

“Again I will take the issue to Saudi Consulate here so that I can be cleared for future travel,” he added.

The Executive Secretary of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Muhammad Abba Danbatta, said the two deported pilgrims were not from the board, but were infiltrated into the list by one of the staff members.

“When I heard the incident around 2:00 am, I rushed to the airport and met with the two pilgrims one female and a male who claimed to be from our Sumaila centre.

“I called the Sumaila centre officer but he doesn’t know them and they did not know him.

“It was when we carried out thorough investigation we found out that the two pilgrims were deceived by one of our staff members by name Abdurrahman. He issued fake visas as well as receipts to them,” he said.

Danbatta stated that the issue had been reported to relevant authorities for further investigation, adding that the staff member would face the wrath of the law.

He said: “As I am talking to you now we are yet to meet with the accused staff as he couldn’t be reached on his mobile phone.

“But the case has been handed over to the Immigration for further investigation. I am assuring you that if he is found guilty, he will definitely face the full wrath of the law.”

The Star