The Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board says it is investigating a recent incident involving some state pilgrims who were reportedly defrauded of their Basic Travel Allowance (BTA).

A statement by the Executive Secretary of the board, Abdul Salam Abdulkadir, on Sunday, said further investigations were ongoing to expose the criminals behind the act which occurred in Saudi Arabia during the just concluded haj exercise.

The board condemned the actions of those who preyed on the goodwill and vulnerability of the pilgrims and welcomed any credible information that may assist in bringing the culprits to book.

He disclosed that “every pilgrim was given their $500 BTA in five $100 bills in the public space and under the supervision of officials of the Directorate of State Security who ensured that the currency was original.

Abdul Salam explained that the unscrupulous individuals apparently took advantage of their vulnerability by swapping $100 bills with $1 bills under the guise of assisting them with currency exchange.

The secretary said in response to the unfortunate development, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq graciously provided for each of the affected pilgrims to be given $500 to offset the losses they incurred and prayed Allah to reward his swift and compassionate intervention.