Kaduna Hajj agency clears air on animal sacrifices, vows compliance

The Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Salihu Abubakar, has assured pilgrims from the state that animal sacrifices (Hadaya) were duly performed for all those who paid through the agency.

Abubakar gave the assurance in response to concerns raised by some pilgrims over the alleged non-performance of the sacrifice despite making payments.

A statement issued on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Uba Sani, Malam Ibraheem Musa, explained that Hadaya is a mandatory Hajj rite involving the slaughtering of animals on behalf of pilgrims on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah.

The chairman said the clarification became necessary following complaints lodged with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria by some pilgrims who claimed there was no evidence that the sacrifices had been carried out.

According to him, the names of all pilgrims who paid Hadaya through the agency have been displayed at the pilgrims’ residence in Saudi Arabia, while officials had also advised pilgrims to verify their names on the list.

Abubakar challenged any Kaduna pilgrim with valid proof of payment whose name was not included on the list to come forward for further investigation.

He disclosed that 827 pilgrims paid their Hadaya through the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency before departing Nigeria, while 47 others made payments through NAHCON.

The chairman added that an additional 54 pilgrims paid in Saudi Arabia, bringing the total number of pilgrims who paid Hadaya to 928, with a total value of 668,160 Saudi Riyals.

He explained that a few cases involving discrepancies were traced to payments made through Point of Sale platforms.

“We cross-checked the receipts with our records and discovered that those affected made payments through POS platforms, and the transactions did not immediately reflect their names,” he said.

Abubakar, however, noted that the issue had since been resolved and the affected pilgrims’ records updated accordingly.

He reiterated the commitment of the Special Hajj Committee of the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency to transparency and accountability in the discharge of its responsibilities.

According to him, the committee is holding its mandate in trust for Gov. Uba Sani and will not engage in any action capable of betraying that trust, tarnishing the governor’s image or short-changing any pilgrim.

NAN