Date: 2016-09-04

The Kwara State Amirul Hajj, Justice ldrees Haroon, has denied rumour that the three Kwara pilgrims arrested in Saudi Arabia, over possession of cocaine, had been beheaded by the authourities.

The Amirul Hajj, who spoke with our correspondent on phone from Makkah in Saudi Arabia, said the story was untrue, baseless and unfounded.

He said the matter is an international issue and that it is being handled by the Saudi Arabia government. "It is a diplomatic issue which is being handled by the Saudi authourities. It is not true that they have been executed", he said.

Haroon said the remaining Kwara pilgrims were in good condition. The three arrested Kwara pilgrims were among the first batch of pilgrims airlifted from the llorin International Airport to Saudi Arabia. They were allegedly found with some kilograms of cocaine.