Nigeria To Protest Seizure Of Pilgrims’ E-Wristband By Saudi Authority

Nigeria is to protest the seizure of electronic wristbands taken to Saudi Arabia for use by its pilgrims.
The Consulate-General, Nigeria Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Muhammad Yunusa, said this at the post Arafat meeting organised by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) yesterday in Makkah.

The wristbands were introduced by NAHCON to monitor each pilgrim’s movement and facilitate easy identification where the need arises.

However, thousands of the items were seized at the airport in Madinah by security officials and all entreaties by Nigerian officials for release fell on deaf ears.

Following this, NAHCON suspended the use of the wristbands by the pilgrims rendering the project useless.

Mr. Yunusa said the action of Saudi authorities ran counter to the understanding reached by the two governments before the introduction of the wristbands.

He said the embassy had in February informed the Saudi government of Nigeria’s plan to introduce the wristbands and this was followed up in July.

“This action is unfriendly, undiplomatic and we are going to protest against it,” he said.

The diplomat urged state officials of pilgrims welfare agencies to caution their drivers against reckless driving, saying it was giving Nigeria a bad image.

Earlier, the Charge d’Affairs of Nigeria to Saudi Arabia, Salisu Umar, commended NAHCON for a hitch free pilgrimage.

He appealed to officials to start preparing early for next year’s pilgrimage to make it better.

NAN

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Happily This Year Pilgrim Was Hitch Free

Makkah (Saudi Arabia) – Millions of Muslims performing this year’s pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia successfully completed the stoning of the devil on Monday, one of the rites of the exercise hitch-free. The exercise went on without any incident although there was anxiety among the Saudi authorities and pilgrims. It would be recalled that about 3,000 pilgrims of various nationalities died in a stampede during 2015 pilgrimage at the venue of the event. At least 317 Nigerians were confirmed to have died in the incident while five others who had not been accounted for, were presumed to have died. To avoid a repeat of the ugly incident, the Saudi authorities introduced stringent measures to guide the conduct of pilgrims during the event. The measures included drawing up timetable which allocated time for pilgrims of each country to perform the rite. Also, all pilgrims were required to return to their respective tents in Muna from Arafat instead of proceeding straight to the stoning site and pilgrims would only be allowed at the venue of the stoning in batches of 250. The authorities had threatened to sanction any pilgrim and country for breach of any of the rules. However, as early as 2 a.m., thousands of pilgrims proceeded to the venue of the stoning after spending a night at Muzdalifah as required. Contrary to the earlier information, security agents did not block any pilgrim but simply ensured that they carried out the rites in an orderly manner. Pilgrims who had returned to their tents in compliance with the earlier directive, soon joined their colleagues. It was not yet clear why the authorities went back on their earlier directive. Meanwhile, some Nigerians took advantage of the shortage barbers at the pilgrims’ tents to make brisk business. It is required that each male pilgrim shaves his head after stoning the devil. Many of the barbers, who are also pilgrims, were charging between five and 10 Riyals per pilgrim for the service.

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Saudi Arabia Arrests Nigerian Pilgrim With Kolanuts

A yet-to-be identified Nigerian pilgrim has landed in trouble in Saudi Arabia for taking kolanuts to the holy land.
The pilgrim, it was learnt, was caught with 10 kolanuts on Monday afternoon.
The pilgrim was said to have been fined 10,000 Saudi Riyals, amounting to 1000 Riyals per kolanut.

According to Pm News source who spoke with the acting Ambassador of Nigeria in Saudi Arabia Monday afternoon confirmed the development, saying the Saudi authorities viewed the importation of kolanuts into the Kingdom as illegal.
As at the time of filing this report, officials of the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah were still pleading for the pilgrim.

Under Saudi law, anyone caught with narcotic drugs will face the death penalty.

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