Officials of the Zamfara State 2023 Hajj committee deliberately allowed known terrorists participate in the just concluded Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia, a government report has revealed, according to an official.
The report also accused some of the officials of embezzling funds, not having proper documentation, criminal reduction of pilgrims’ allowances among other corrupt practices.
This revelation comes amidst earlier reports in the media on how security agents apprehended terrorists, their wives as well as some informants working for the terrorists at the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport in Sokoto after returning from Saudi Arabia.
A 2023 Hajj delegation committee inaugurated by the State government has, in a detailed report reviewing the just-concluded, exercise submitted this to the state governor, Dauda Lawal, on Thursday. The committee recommended a comprehensive overhaul of the state’s Hajj Commission (ZAHCOM), the official said.
According to the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, “While receiving the report, Governor Lawal expressed dismay on the actions of some staff of ZAHCOM over misuse of pilgrims’ and public funds including large numbers of missing pilgrims’ deposits and financial scandal”.
Idris said the report covered various aspects of the hajj exercise including membership of committees, staff strength, financial expenditures and verification of pilgrims’ deposits.
The governor’s spokesperson added that while receiving the report, the governor reiterated his administration’s readiness to implement the recommendations of the committee. He said the governor assured that within the coming days, he will take necessary actions.
