Taraba Pilgrims Stranded in Amman, Jordan over alleged Corrupt practices
Jethro Yerga, Jalingo
22 out of 144 members of the Taraba State contigent who departed to the holy land of Israel for pilgrimage on January 24, 2025 are allegedly, stranded in Amman, Jordan, as they could not proceed to Israel following alleged corrupt practices
The affected pilgrims who are currently wondering why they could not proceed with their colleagues to the holy land when the governor of the State, Dr Agbu Kefas had already footed all the bills for the exercise, alleged that the officials of the pilgrim have also gone ahead to reduced their welfare packages.
Some of the affected pilgrims appealed to the governor, Dr Agbu Kefas to come to their aid in the same manner the Adamawa State Governor, Umaru Fintiri, directly intervened to prevent the officials from taking a damn out of the original $500 he allocated for the pilgrims
“They dumped us here in Amman, Jordan, and our colleagues have proceeded to the holy land of Israel. Up till now, we are yet to fathom why we can’t continue with the trip alongside our colleagues.
“Again, we learnt that the $500 that was originally allocated by His Excellency, Dr Agbu Kefas to all the sponsored members on the trip, has been reduced to $300. They are trying to convince the public that the money was used for renovation of the Taraba State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board and we are suprised”. One of the affected members who does not want his name in print lamented.
Though the chairman, Taraba State Pilgrims Board, Rev. Moses Iro Aliyuda and the Executive Secretary, Mrs Cycilia Asua, could not be reached at the time of writing this report due to terrain challenges, sources disclosed that three commissioners, including the Taraba State Commissioners for Waste Management, Poverty Alleviation and Digital Innovation as well as a council boss are among the affected pilgrims.
