By Mikail Mumuni
*Photo: Prince Anofi’u Olarewanju Elegushi*
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has called of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia to always remember that they are Nigerian Ambassadors.
NAHCON Commissioner for Operations, Inspectorate and Licensing, Prince Anofiu Elegushi,
gave the call on Monday,
during an interview in the Commission’s Office, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
He said Nigerian pilgrims must refrain from any act that can bring the name of Nigeria into disrepute, warning drug couriers disguising as pilgrims to desist from the act.
The arrest of two intending pilgrims, Ibrahim Umar Mustapha and Muhammad Siraj Shifado, on Monday, the 26th of May, 2025, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, en route to Jeddah, and a few other ones before them have raised concerns.
While acknowledging that drugs may be planted on some innocent and genuine pilgrims by drug lords under the guise of sending parcels to loved ones, Prince Elegushi said NAHCON was working with State Pilgrim Boards in aggressive enlightenment campaign for Muslims.
He noted with satisfaction, the interception, at Nigerian airports, of some drug couriers on their way to Saudi Arabia by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
He said the arrests resulted from close collaboration between NAHCON and NDLEA.
The NAHCON Commissioner warned that drug trafficking attracts capital punishment in Saudi Arabia and urged pilgrims to be law abiding and God fearing.
On pilgrims’ welfare, the commissioner spoke about logistics and feeding arrangements in Mina. He assured that this year’s services would be significantly improved to enhance pilgrims’ comfort and experience.
So far, over 50,000 Nigerian pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj.
On the airlift of pilgrims back home, Prince Elegushi said NAHCON was poised to replicate the success achieved during the outbound operation to Saudi Arabia.
He lauded the State Pilgrims Welfare Boards for their promptness in sending their pilgrims to the airports at the appropriate time.
He equally commended the four airlines involved in the operations for living up to expectations by meeting up with the deadlines set for them. Prince Elegushi was particularly happy that three of the four airlines are Nigerian owned.
He said their selection by NAHCON to participate in the Hajj operations in furtherance of the President Bola Tinubu Administration’s policy of encouraging Nigeria entrepreneurs has has been justified.