National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has warned intending pilgrims of the 2024 Hajj against falling into the hands of scammers requesting extra charges.
In a statement, yesterday, the Assistant Director of Public Affairs, NAHCON, Fatima Usara, alerted that anybody who demanded extra fare apart from the official cost should be treated as a fraudster.
She stated: “The commission has not requested pilgrims to pay any additional administrative charges beyond the stated amount, and anyone that makes such a request on our behalf is violating the rule and responsibility of NAHCON as the regulatory body.
“Collection of any extra charge is not authorised. Any pilgrim asked to pay extra charges should forward the name and location of the person making the request, along with evidence of the request or payment, to the security and the commission.”
Usara urged the victims to forward such documents to the following WhatsApp number: 09071800007. Before the closure of registration, NAHCON had announced an additional N1.9 million cost for registered pilgrims, who had earlier completed their N4.7 million initial deposit, and N8.4 million for new intending pilgrims.
The increased Hajj fare, according to NAHCON, becomes pertinent following the rising dollar exchange rate to naira.
