Hajj stampede: Saudi to determine status of 35 missing Nigerian pilgrims
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) yesterday said Saudi Arabia will soon determine the status of 35 Nigerian pilgrims declared missing after last year’s Hajj stampede.
It also said the Saudi government has retained 76,000 quota given to the country.
The Secretary to NAHCON, Dr. Bello Tambuwal, said last night that 280 Nigerians died in the twin tragedies of 11th and 24th of September, 2015.
The statement said: “Saudi Arabian Authorities have promised to expedite action in determining the status of 35 Nigerian pilgrims declared missing in the aftermath of the stampede that occurred in Mina, Saudi Arabia during the just concluded Hajj 2015 exercise. “This promise was made during a Ministerial Meeting held between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia on Thursday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“The meeting, which kick-started Hajj 2016 preparatory activities witnessed the Saudi Arabian delegation, led by The Minister of Hajj, Dr Bandar Bn Muhammad Al Hajjar and Nigeria’s Delegation led by Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Hon. Khadija Bukar Ibrahim discussing the 2015 Hajj operations and preparations for Hajj 2016.
“The Saudi delegation also comprised representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Hajj, Interior and other agencies.
“The Nigerian delegation comprised Executive Members of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) led by its Chairman and Chief Executive, Barr. Abdullahi Muktar Muhammad and the Director General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Capt. Muhtar Usman.
“The Nigerian Delegation had earlier on, condoled Saudi Arabia on the twin tragedies that occurred on the 11th and 24th of September, 2015 which claimed many lives including 280 Nigerians.”
The statement explained that Saudi Arabia promised to look into the demands of NAHCON including moving closer to Jamaraat, better tent facilities in Mina and finding solutions to the high cost of Umrah.
The statement added: “The NAHCON Chairman informed the meeting of the Commission’s plans to embark on nation-wide enlightenment activities of pilgrims and its resolve to establish a Hajj Institute for professional training of Hajj Managers in Nigeria.
“The Saudi delegation emphasized the need for proper enlightenment of pilgrims and promised to cooperate with the commission towards enhanced services to pilgrims. “Similarly the Saudi delegation promised to address Nigeria’s request to be moved closer to Jamaraat area and better tent facilities in Mina and Arafat. It also agreed to meet with the commission at a later time to discuss and find solutions to the high cost of Umrah and other challenges of the exercise,
“Meanwhile, the quota of Nigeria for the 2016 Hajj remains 76,000 slots pending the outcome of a Committee set up by the Saudi Government to review the allocation of slots to all countries once the Haram expansion project is concluded.”
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