Date: 2016-08-19

*They are disgrace to Kwara state - Residents

Contrary to the earlier report by national dailies on the arrested Nigerians in Saudi Arabia, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has officially released a statement to counter earlier reports stating that only two Nigerians were arrested and not three.

A statement signed by the NAHCON Media and Public Relations Unit issued by Mousa Ubandawaki from Saudi Arabia stated that the commission received with sadness the arrest and detention of two Nigerian Pilgrims in Madina over alleged drug-related offences on August 9 and 12.

"This unfortunate incident is coming despite warnings and exhortations through enlightenment programs carried out by the commission, the state pilgrims' boards and various leaders before departures". It added that "the commission hereby reiterates that the penalty for trafficking in hard drugs and narcotics into Saudi Arabia is death. Carriage of control drugs such as Tramadol and Nipemethine attract prison sentences, while carriage of kolanuts "goro" attracts heavy fines".

It also noted that "investigation into the matter continues, the commission, state pilgrims welfare boards and other Federal Agencies shall continue to play their various roles in ensuring such unfortunate incidences do not re occur while also committed to improving the welfare and security of the pilgrims in the Holy Land are guaranteed". It also revealed that about 30,000 pilgrims have been airlifted to Saudi Arabia in 72 flights in 13 days of airlift. Similarly, the first consignment of 500 pieces of 5-litres of Zam-Zam arrived Nigeria on Wednesday.

The consignment which was delivered by the Flynas airline at the Gombe International airport shall be kept in safe custody and distributed to pilgrims on their return. Meanwhile, the Amirul Hajj for Kwara State , Hon justice Idris Haroon (rtd) expressed dissatisfaction over the facilities of security agencies in the state as they were unable to detect pilgrims who were arrested for carrying contraband to the holy land.

Justice Haroon who spoke on phone with The Herald from Saudi Arabia said the performance of security agencies was worrisome as they did not perform up to expectation in the just concluded hajj exercise to the holy land. He said with the ugly development, the country had been said to be involved in all sought of unlawful acts which was giving the country countless knocks. Justice Haroon said it had been stated in hajj rules that anybody arrested in violation of the laid rules and regulations would be prosecuted in line with Saudi Arabia law.

The jurist noted that Saudi Arabia authorities had always been strict in upholding the rule of law, adding that no one would be sacred cow after violating the law of the country. He however said it was yet to be ascertained whether the alleged trafficker pilgrims were from Kwara, Ekiti or Ondo but they were part of pilgrims airlifted through Kwara zone. He said the board was working round the clock to ascertain the identities of the affected pilgrims.

He warned Nigerians particularly pilgrims against violation of Saudi Arabia law to avoid being used as scapegoat by the Saudi Arabia authorities. He also commended the state government for putting necessary arrangement in place to ensure the comfort of the pilgrims.

According to him "Kwara pilgrims paid the most modest hajj fare and they enjoyed highest BTA of $1000. This is kudos for our state government. There are many states that paid more than Kwara hajj fare but they collected no BTA. Justice Haroon confirmed that the total number of 2500 pilgrims from Kwara zone including those from Ondo and Ekiti arrived Saudi Arabia safely. "They are hale and hearty and are well accommodated with provision of food and health facilities", he said.

He said the Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board was very transparent in all the arrangements particularly as it related to the welfare and comfort of the pilgrims. Three Kwara pilgrims were allegedly arrested in Saudi Arabia airport last week by security agents for drug trafficking.

The pilgrims whose identity could not be ascertained yet, reportedly swallowed various kilograms of cocaine but luck ran against them when a scanner at the Saudi Arabia airport detected hard substances in their body systems. Another source from the national hajj commission also said investigation was still on going into the matter of both the cocaine and cola nut.

Meanwhile, residents in the state living around airport Ilorin have expressed their dissatisfaction over the state pilgrims arrested in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia as they said the board warned them time without number not to go with contraband to the kingdom. They also blamed the development on concerned agencies that failed to do proper checking of the pilgrims as required by their constitutional duty adding that they disappointed the country.

Source: HeraldNews