A Civil Society Organisation, Independent Hajj Reporters has commended the
federal government for taking “immediate and proactive steps” in
seeking redress for the two Nigerian pilgrims reportedly manhandled by the
Saudi Arabian security agents at the Madina airport.
federal government for taking “immediate and proactive steps” in
seeking redress for the two Nigerian pilgrims reportedly manhandled by the
Saudi Arabian security agents at the Madina airport.
A statement made available to THE PRECISION by the civil
society’s national coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammed and Publicity Secretary,
Abubakar Mahmoud read, “The prompt response of the National Hajj
Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Nigerian Embassy in Saudi Arabia and the
Nigerian Charge de Affairs in seeking redress for the two Nasarawa State
pilgrims is commendable and unprecedented.
society’s national coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammed and Publicity Secretary,
Abubakar Mahmoud read, “The prompt response of the National Hajj
Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Nigerian Embassy in Saudi Arabia and the
Nigerian Charge de Affairs in seeking redress for the two Nasarawa State
pilgrims is commendable and unprecedented.
“Last week, two Nasarawa State pilgrims were
allegedly manhandled by the Saudi security forces on arrival at the Madina
Airport.
allegedly manhandled by the Saudi security forces on arrival at the Madina
Airport.
“Immediately after the
issue was reported to the NAHCON office in Madina, NAHCON secretary, Dr Bello
Tambuwal petitioned the Saudi authorities and alerted the Nigerian Embassy in
Riyadh to the unfortunate incident.
issue was reported to the NAHCON office in Madina, NAHCON secretary, Dr Bello
Tambuwal petitioned the Saudi authorities and alerted the Nigerian Embassy in
Riyadh to the unfortunate incident.
“However, after NAHCON’s petition and the
Charge de Affairs prompt action, the kingdom, through the Governor of Madina,
expressed shock over the incident and promised to decisively deal with the
security personnel involved,” the statement said.
Charge de Affairs prompt action, the kingdom, through the Governor of Madina,
expressed shock over the incident and promised to decisively deal with the
security personnel involved,” the statement said.
The Governor of Madina, represented by his
deputy, Ambassador Dr. Wahid Alsihli, alongside the deputy Minister in Charge
of Hajj and Umrah Affairs, Muhammad Abdurrahman Bijawy, visited the hotels
where the two Nigerian pilgrims were residing and personally apologized to
them, NAHCON, and the Nigerian government.
deputy, Ambassador Dr. Wahid Alsihli, alongside the deputy Minister in Charge
of Hajj and Umrah Affairs, Muhammad Abdurrahman Bijawy, visited the hotels
where the two Nigerian pilgrims were residing and personally apologized to
them, NAHCON, and the Nigerian government.
The civil society said while it appreciated
the apology tendered by the Saudi authorities, it however “urged them to
curtail the excesses of some of their overzealous security forces especially
during Umrah and Hajj period.”
the apology tendered by the Saudi authorities, it however “urged them to
curtail the excesses of some of their overzealous security forces especially
during Umrah and Hajj period.”
The statement said whoever enters the kingdom
of Saudi Arabia for umrah or hajj does so in heeding the call of Allah to fulfill their religious obligation and must be treated as special guests of the
almighty, and accorded with all respect and courtesy.
of Saudi Arabia for umrah or hajj does so in heeding the call of Allah to fulfill their religious obligation and must be treated as special guests of the
almighty, and accorded with all respect and courtesy.
Source: The Precision
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