Nigerian Pilgrim In Saudi Arabia Returns Missing $5,000 To Russian Owner

A Nigerian pilgrim, Hajiya Zainab from Plateau State, has been praised for her honesty after she returned $5,000 (₦8.2 million) she found at the Masjidul Haram in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

The Plateau State Pilgrims Board, led by Daiyabu Dauda, and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) both commended Hajiya Zainab for returning the money to its rightful owner, a Russian pilgrim.

In a statement, Dauda said: “She demonstrated exceptional integrity and honesty by returning $5,000 she found in Masjidul Haram to its rightful owner. That’s a remarkable act of kindness.”

In a related development, NAHCON has announced that it is currently in discussions with Saudi authorities about reopening the visa process for those still hoping to perform this year’s Hajj.

According to a statement released on Wednesday by Fatima Usara, the commission’s Assistant Director of Information, there is hope that the issue will be resolved soon.

“There is optimism for a positive outcome, and when that is realised, the commission will immediately transport the registered pilgrims for the Hajj in another special arrangement,” she said.

She also mentioned that some staff have been placed on standby in case the visa process resumes.

KanyiDaily also reported that a 75-year-old pilgrim from Edo State, Mrs. Danzumi Adizatu, who was taking part in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, recently died in Saudi Arabia.