Disregard N1.8m hajj fare in circulation – CSO tells intending pilgrims

A civil society organisation, Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), told  intending pilgrims to ignore the N1.8million hajj fare package in circulation on social media as it does not emanate from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

IHR in a statement by its national coordinator Ibrahim Mohammed said it is fake.

“Our social media surveillance team has brought to our notice a fake 2019 hajj fare package.

“The post which is being shared alleged that the 2019 hajj fare is N1.8 million, while others are posting a 6 item hajj fare template as opposed to the 23 items in the original hajj fare templates often in use.

“As journalists and an organisation that has been reporting hajj/umrah activities, we therefore, call on members of the public to be wary of fake news and instead visit the website of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), or hajj reporters social media handles for any announcement on the 2019 hajj fare.

“This year’s hajj fare has not been announced and we are yet to understand where the authors of N1.8 million hajj fare got their news from.

“O you who believe! If a Faasiq (liar-evil person) comes to you with any news, verify it, lest you should harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful for what you have done. Al-Qura’an 49:6.

“It will be recalled that In 2017, an anonymous post went viral on social media bordering on the hajj fares announced by NAHCON with the authors insinuating foul-play.

“The commission explained and put the matter to rest. However, the same posts surfaced in 2018 and again, clarifications were made by the commission.

“To reinforce the fact that it was a case of fake news, it should be noted that the 2019 hajj packages are yet to be announced and 2018 hajj fare was less than 1.5 Million,” the statement reads.

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