2027 Hajj: NAHCON warns against fraudulent ‘special slot’ scams

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The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has warned intending pilgrims and Hajj tour operators against paying money to individuals claiming they can guarantee special slots for the 2027 Hajj exercise.

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NAHCON, in a statement issued by its management on Saturday, said some unscrupulous persons claiming to be agents or staff of the commission had been contacting tour operating companies and intending pilgrims, demanding various sums of money in exchange for promises of guaranteed Hajj slots.

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The commission described such demands as fraudulent and stressed that no individual, agent, tour operator or other person had been authorised to request or collect money as a “facilitation fee” or additional payment to secure special Hajj slot allocation.

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“Members of the public, intending pilgrims, and Tour Operators are hereby strongly advised that no individual, agent, Tour Operator, or any other person is authorized to demand, collect, or request any form of payment, ‘facilitation fee,’ or additional money under the guise of guaranteeing, facilitating or securing special Hajj slot allocation for the 2027 Hajj exercise,” NAHCON said.

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The commission said the allocation of Hajj slots was strictly governed by approved processes and carried out in compliance with its guidelines for the licensing of tour operators, which it said were already in the public domain.

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It warned that anyone contacting tour operators or intending pilgrims to demand money with promises of guaranteed slots was acting fraudulently and without the authority of the commission.

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“Any person who contacts Tour operators or intending pilgrims requesting money with promises of guaranteed slots is acting fraudulently and without the authority of the Commission. Such actions are illegal and should be reported to the police or other law enforcement agencies,” it said.

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NAHCON urged intending pilgrims to make payments only through officially designated channels, including state pilgrims’ welfare agencies, designated Hajj savings banks and duly licensed tour operators.

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It also advised members of the public to report unsolicited calls, messages or demands for additional payments connected to Hajj slot allocation.

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The commission further reminded intending pilgrims that failure to meet the published deadlines for the upload of pilgrims’ data by September 26, 2026, and complete remittance of payments by December 2, 2026, would lead to the forfeiture of allocated slots.

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It stressed that such forfeiture would apply regardless of claims made by unauthorised persons.

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“NAHCON remains committed to a transparent, fair, and orderly 2027 Hajj exercise. The public is encouraged to rely solely on official communications from the Commission,” the statement read.

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The commission urged members of the public to remain vigilant and avoid falling victim to individuals seeking to exploit the 2027 Hajj preparations for financial gain.

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Meanwhile, NAHCON on Friday announced that intending pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj exercise would pay between N7,560,822 and N7,882,822, depending on their departure zones.

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The commission said the fares were approved by the Federal Government after consultations with the Forum of State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards and key service providers in Saudi Arabia.

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According to NAHCON, pilgrims departing from the Maiduguri/Yola zone will pay N7,560,822, while those from the Northern Zone will pay N7,672,822.

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Pilgrims from the Southern Zone will pay the highest fare of N7,882,822.

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