Foreign exchange black market operators are making brisk business from Nigerian pilgrims in Madinah since the arrival of the first batch from Kogi for this year’s Hajj.

The operators, mainly Nigerians resident in Madinah, transact their businesses in secret as they approach pilgrims in their hotels in groups or individually to introduce the business deal.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that their mode of operation involves offering “affordable rates” to attract the pilgrims into exchanging their Basic Traveling Allowances (BTA) for the local currency, Saudi Riyals, at “cheaper rates”.

The official rates of the dollar to a Riyal is 3.75 to a dollar but the operator's charges range from 3.78 upward.

One of the dealers, Muhammadu Kano, told NAN that the business had started booming with the arrival of more Nigerian pilgrims, adding that he had made some improvements in sales compared to previous days.

“This business is seasonal because the Hajj provides us with the opportunity to render more service and make money from pilgrims too,” he said.

He said the demand for Forex had increased because of pressure on the market.

“We make money from exchange of dollars, naira, CFA and Cameroon Money.”

Ahmed Rufai, another dealer, said many pilgrims experience difficulties in accessing Forex due to congestion at the Bureau De Change offices, adding the black market operation provided an alternative platform to facilitate transactions.

Rufai, who said the operators had formed an association called Qurban Lulu, added that it had registered up to 300 members in Madinah and Makkah.

“We are offering essential Forex services to our compatriots because we know they will go through hardships in sourcing the local currency for their survival during the Hajj.”

Rufai exchanges a dollar to 3.78 Riyals instead of 3.75 official rate while the N1000 goes for eight Riyals.

“Asked if some members were not exploiting the situation to involve in malpractice, Rufai said they were conscious of the need to render transparent service “with the fear of Allah”.

He appealed to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), to recognise their business operations as Nigerians too, to enable them to contribute to national service.

A NAN correspondent who sought inquiries on what NAHCON was doing to protect pilgrims from the market, gathered that its Public Enlightenment Department had constantly engaged in sensitising pilgrims to the matter

NAN was further told that NAHCON had always educated the pilgrims about the dangers of patroniseing illegal money transactions, adding that such pilgrims could fall prey to illegal activities of fraudsters

A NAHCON official, who craved anonymity, said state pilgrim welfare agencies made payments of pilgrims’ BTA as a mandate to prevent them from becoming stranded and to ensure their welfare in the Holy Land. (NAN)