Dozens of individuals have accused Ejabah Travel and Tours of collecting over D50 million for Hajj pilgrimage facilitation and subsequently failing to provide the service or issue refunds. The accusations involve funds intended to secure travel for pilgrims to Islam's holiest sites, a journey of profound religious significance for Muslims worldwide. These individuals, who had entrusted their money to the agency for the sacred pilgrimage, now find themselves without the promised service and without their funds. A confirmed figure of 73 intending pilgrims paid more than D50 million to Mr. Kanimang Bajo for the 2026 Hajj exercise. The substantial sum collected shows the scale of the alleged fraud and the number of lives impacted.
Agency's Uncooperative Stance
Complainants alleged that Ejabah Travel and Tours, headed by Kanimang Bajo, has been uncooperative, delaying or refusing to return funds paid for Hajj arrangements. This lack of cooperation has further exacerbated the distress of the affected pilgrims, many of whom had saved for years for this once-in-a-lifetime journey. Victims received information suggesting 53 visas had been processed, with the first group of pilgrims scheduled to depart on May 14. This initial communication offered a glimmer of hope to those eagerly awaiting their departure. However, later on the same day, an audio message was circulated among the victims, claiming that all processed visas had been destroyed. This sudden and concerning development left pilgrims in a state of confusion and despair. Efforts to contact Ejabah Travel and Tours for clarification on these developments were unsuccessful, leaving the victims without direct answers from the agency. The Standard newspaper reported it could not reach the company for comment, noting the difficulty in obtaining an official statement from Ejabah Travel and Tours regarding these serious allegations.
Official Investigations and Warnings
Kanimang Bajo was arrested by police and transported to Kairaba Police Station in connection with similar issues related to pilgrimage arrangements. His arrest signals the seriousness with which authorities are treating the complaints against Ejabah Travel and Tours and its head. The Hajj Commission, the official body responsible for overseeing Hajj operations in the country, stated that Ejabah Travel and Tours did not possess a licence to operate in The Gambia. This critical revelation means the company was operating without the necessary legal authorization to facilitate Hajj travel. The commission confirmed that the company was not registered with them, raising significant concerns about its legitimacy in facilitating Hajj travel and its accountability to regulatory bodies. This lack of official recognition meant that pilgrims dealing with Ejabah Travel and Tours were doing so outside established and regulated channels.
Pilgrims' Distress and Suffering
Ejabah Travel and Tours disseminated audio messages and photographs within a WhatsApp group, informing intending pilgrims that company delegates had journeyed to Guinea-Bissau. The communications indicated that the purpose of this trip was to meet with officials responsible for Hajj-related matters. This information was shared as pilgrims awaited updates regarding their travel arrangements, seemingly to reassure them about the progress of their pilgrimage preparations. The messages and images provided by the company aimed to convey progress in securing the pilgrimage, despite growing concerns among those who had paid for the service. The emotional and financial toll on these individuals has been immense, as they grapple with the loss of their funds and the inability to fulfill a deeply personal religious obligation.
Broader Implications for Hajj Travel
The 2026 Hajj exercise, for which numerous individuals paid Ejabah Travel and Tours, ultimately did not occur, leaving the intending pilgrims unable to perform the religious journey. Payments made to the company for this pilgrimage have also not been refunded to the affected individuals, compounding their financial loss with their spiritual disappointment. This situation has caused significant distress among those who had planned to travel and notes potential vulnerabilities within the Hajj travel facilitation sector in The Gambia. It shows the importance of verifying the legitimacy and licensing of travel agencies, especially for significant religious journeys like the Hajj, to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
