The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has warned the general public to be vigilant when patronising Hajj and Umrah tour operators, saying that only seven out of 21 of them are licensed in Kaduna State.

Speaking on Thursday after an inspection of some tour operators in Kaduna, the team leader, Muhammad Gire said 14 tour operators are operating as tour and travel agents illegally.

He said 10 operators were served with a notice to comply with the provision of NAHCON establishment Act 2006 and register with the commission and obtain the necessary authorisation to engage in the business within 21 days of receiving the notice or have their business premises sealed.

Gire added: “Though we have not yet closed any company, but we have given them 21 days to comply with the commission mandate or face the law because that is the only way to authenticate illegal and legal tour operators.”

He said that any tour operators that is ready to partake in the business has to come to the NAHCON office and get a legal license, adding that, failure to do so will be tantamount to doing business illegally.

Gire said the commission has received series of complaints from intending pilgrims who have been defrauded by some illegal tour operators for Hajj and Umrah adding: “When we check our records, we found out those companies are not registered with NAHCON.”

He said NAHCON is the sole regulator of Hajj and Ummrah activities in Nigeria adding that “The Commission under the leadership of, Barr Abdullahi Muktar mandated us to fish out all companies that are not registered to face the law.”

The Managing Director of Chubas Travel Services Limited, Usman Ibrahim expressed delight over the inspection which he said will help in sanitising the business and weeding out the bad eggs within the system.

The tour operators visited include Subway Travels & Tours Limited, Hairan Travel & Tours, Chubas Travel Services Limited and Hokram Travel & Tours Limited.

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