Kebbi government officials (KGOs) have successfully rescued at least three missing Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia during the ongoing Hajj exercise, News About Nigeria reports.
The KGOs, who are state-sponsored pilgrims themselves, provide assistance to other pilgrims when needed, ensuring their safety and well-being.
Nasir Idris, a member of the KGOs and executive director of the Kebbi branch of the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), reported that a woman from Kamba Local Government Area in Kebbi was rescued after losing her way and ending up behind Al-Masjid Al-Haram.
Idris stated, “As KGOs, we have to intervene and redirect her back home through a taxi service.”
In addition to rescuing the woman from Kamba, Idris mentioned that the KGOs recently helped two women from Bauchi State who had also lost their way to their hotel.
The KGOs’ intervention ensured the women were safely guided back to their accommodations without any difficulty.
Idris said that KGOs have been assisting pilgrims, particularly with translation services, and acting as intermediaries due to language barriers.
He said that the KGOs offer valuable suggestions to committees to ensure a successful Hajj exercise and provide help to all Nigerian pilgrims in need.
“We provide humanitarian services throughout the Hajj operation and appeal for pilgrims’ support and cooperation to ensure a successful exercise,” Idris said.
He also advised pilgrims to be cautious with their spending and to routinely seek guidance from clerics on performing the proper Hajj rituals.
Since the start of the 2024 Hajj, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has reported the deaths of two pilgrims from Kebbi State.
