By Jibrin Baba Ndace
Madina
National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said that over 70,000 Nigerian pilgrimages have so far visited Madina.
The spokesperson NAHCON, Malam Uba Mana, disclosed this when commenting on a delay in movement of some Nigerian pilgrims from Madina to Mecca.
He said: “The delay in movement of some pilgrimages from Madina was as a result of large number of Nigerians who visited Madina before Arafat. Over 70,000 out of 76,000 Nigerian pilgrimages visited Madina before Arafat. This is unprecedented. This upsurge led to some unforeseen challenges such as mix up in international passports and delay by transport companies responsible for the movement of pilgrimages.”
“However, all these challenges have been addressed. As i speak with you, NAHCON staffers are going from hotel to house to ensure that no single Nigerian pilgrimage is left in Madina. There is no need for panic. All the remaining pilgrimages would be moved between (today) yesterday night and early house of today.”
Mana, who said that all arrangements have been put in place to ensure hajj exercise for Nigerian pilgrimages adding that contrary to media reports only five Nigerian pilgrimages died in Saudi Arabia.
“Only five Nigerian pilgrimages died in this year’s exercise. And all of them had high blood pressure. We advise both the state and federal medical team to be more vigilant.”