By Matthew Denis
The Kwara State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board has debunked allegation that it is planning to swap pilgrims for scheduled flights on the return journey from Saudi Arabia following successful 2019 Hajj rites.
The allegation that the board usually drop pilgrims on first batch and substitute them with those on third or fourth batch who had given bribe, went viral on social media last week.
A pilgrim from the state who crave anonymity had warned members of the board to desist from the act as the flight operations commences next week.
The social media post reads: “We finished proper 2019 Haji rite yesterday. However, officials of Kwara State Pilgrim board are warned not to involve in swapping deals as they used to do.
“This is because they normally drop Pilgrims on first batch and substitute them with third or fourth batch pilgrims who ‘settled’ them.
“I am one of the Pilgrims’ committee members who met with the officers to warn them to desist from such act. But if they do it, we will show them pepper here and we will stage a live protest.
“And, I will take a live broadcast of the protest and send it to appropriate quarters. Therefore, anybody who knows these officials and Amir Hajj and his members should call them to order now.”
In his reaction during a telephone chat with Pilot Aviation, on Friday, the Executive Secretary of the board, Alhaji Tunde Jimoh described the allegation as false and baseless.
He said, ” None of our officials is taking bribe from pilgrims to put them on first flight schedule. There is nothing like that it’s a rumour.”
Jimoh stressed that the usual policy of the board has remained constant as the flight schedules for the pilgrims is non negotiable.
He said, “Our usual policy is that pilgrims return home in the order in which they came and it is non- negotiable,” he added.
