The Kebbi State Police Command has apprehended four individuals in connection with a fraudulent Hajj seat scheme. The command's spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, made this known in a statement released on Monday, 25th May 2026.
Arrests Following Complaint from Pilgrims Agency
Usman identified the suspects as Aminu Hassan Zauro, Tabiu Abubakar, Usman Attahiru, and Mustapha Sani Zauro. Their arrests came after a complaint from the Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Agency, which discovered that the names of some intending pilgrims were missing from its official records.
Details of the Fraud
Investigations revealed that the prime suspect, Aminu Hassan Zauro, who had no legitimate access to Hajj slots, fraudulently collected N8.6 million from a victim under the false promise of securing two seats for the 2026 Hajj. Additionally, he obtained an initial deposit of N690,000 from another victim under similar false pretences.
To conceal the fraud, Zauro procured and presented unauthorised branded Hajj materials, including a Hajj bag, hijabs, wrappers, and fake medical record cards to the victims. All these items have been recovered by the police, along with one Techno Android phone.
Warning from the Commissioner of Police
The Commissioner of Police, CP Umar M. Hadejia, has cautioned intending pilgrims to deal only with the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency or its accredited officials and guides. He noted that many people fall victim to such fraudulent schemes annually. The CP further directed that all persons found culpable in connection with the fraudulent Hajj transactions be prosecuted accordingly.
The suspects were arrested alongside four other individuals who are still at large: Bello Jos, Atiku Store, Umar Gimba, and Usman Bunza.
