While paying a condolence visit to three Nigerian states
that lost six pilgrims in the Mecca crane accident, 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 illegal trespass.
It can be recalled that on Friday, six Nigerian pilgrims
including one male from Kaduna State, four females from Gombe State and one
male from Katsina, died in the tragedy. The coordinator said the affected
officials were medical personnel arrested for embarking on a trip outside Mecca
without official permit.
"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".
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.
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