The coordinator of the
National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) in Mecca, Suleiman Usman, has disclosed that
some Nigerian pilgrimage officials were arrested and taken to prison by the
Saudi authorities for trespass. Mr. Usman made the disclosure while paying a
condolence visit, Sunday night, to three Nigerian states that lost six pilgrims
in the Mecca crane accident.
Six
Nigerian pilgrims including one male from Kaduna State, four females from Gombe
State and one male from Katsina, died in the tragedy on Friday.
The
coordinator said the affected officials were medical personnel arrested for
embarking on a trip outside Mecca without official permit.
PREMIUM TIMES report continues:
“We
are trying to secure the release of our medical team, who were arrested and
taken to prison by Saudi security, while travelling from Jeddah in an
ambulance,” the coordinator said.
Mr.
Usman, who did not disclose how many officials were affected, and the states
they represent, appealed to pilgrims to desist from traveling outside Mecca
without official permit, at least until after Arafat.
“Pilgrims
should not leave Mecca at least until after Hajj and with official permit. They
should also ensure adherence to the laid down rules and regulation of the Saudi
authorities,” he said.
Commenting
on the Friday tragedy, Mr. Usman said rescue officials were able to identify
Adamu Kargi from Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State from his uniform
as he was not carrying his identification cards.
“We were able to identify
the deceased from Kaduna State by his uniform because at the time of the
accident, he was not bearing identity card and the hand identification band.
But, we commend our pilgrims for wearing their uniforms all the time,” he said.
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