—NLC wants deaths investigated
By Abdullahi M. Gulloma and Moses John, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the Nigerian Embassy in Saudi Arabia to urgently account for all Nigerian pilgrims in the aftermath of last Thursday’s disaster at Mina.
A statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, yesterday in Abuja, stated that the presidential directive followed conflicting reports on the number Nigerians who died or suffered injuries in the catastrophe which claimed well over 700 lives.
It said: “Buhari is very concerned that days after the unfortunate incident, some Nigerian families are still grappling with painful uncertainty over the fate of their relatives who travelled to Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj.
“The president expects the National Hajj Commission to work with the various state pilgrim boards, Islamic organisations and private travel agencies involved in Hajj operations to speedily provide a confirmed and verifiable report on the status of every Nigerian pilgrim in Saudi Arabia.”
According to the statement, the President also directed the Hajj Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Embassy in Saudi Arabia to give all necessary assistance to Nigerians “who are still receiving treatment for injuries suffered in Mina.”
He prayed that Almighty Allah “will receive the souls of the dead, comfort bereaved families, heal the injured and bring all surviving Nigerian pilgrims safely home.”
In the same vein, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Saudi Government to constitute high-power investigation to unravel the cause of the stampede, and the earlier deaths caused by crane that left 1, 200 people dead.
Its President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, in a statement yesterday ,also said the nations which lost their citizens in the stampede should be members of the panel.
While commiserating with the families of the 767 Muslim faithful who died in the tragic incident, Wabba also condoled with the families and loved ones of 54 Nigerians who were among the dead.
He said: “As painful as this incident is, we believe it is predestined. Accordingly, the victims should be seen as martyrs who gave up their lives in worship.
“We advise that the 805 injured, amongst whom were 61 Nigerians, be given urgent and best medical attention that they deserve.”
Wabba also urged Saudi authorities to review its crowd control technique to avoid such incidence in future.
“Accordingly, we call for a thorough investigation of the two major incidents that led to these deaths.
“In order for transparency and re-assurance, we urge that countries whose citizens perished in the two incidents be made members of the body of inquiry.
“But most importantly, perhaps, time has come for the Saudi authorities to review their crowd control management techniques and administration of hajj, generally.”
