Date: 2017-08-26

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has expressed appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its prompt response to the maltreatment of two Nigerian pilgrims by some of its officers at the Prince Muhammad Bn Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah.

The Chairman of the commission, Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad, praised the action of the Kingdom, which he described as exemplary and a demonstration of the importance the Kingdom attaches to the welfare of pilgrims, worldwide.

According to him, the gesture deserves commendation as it doused whatever misgivings that could have arisen from the overzealous action of the security officers .

In a statement issued by one of the media teams of the commission , Alhaji Mousa Ubandawaki appreciated their quick action especially the apology tendered by none less than the Deputy Governor of Medina and the Deputy Minister of Hajj, Madina branch. The statement shows the high pedestal in which Nigerians are held and more particularly, it is a testament of the Kingdom's resolve to make all pilgrims feel at home in the Holy land.

In the same vein, the NAHCON boss applauded the Saudi Embassy in Abuja and Consulate in Kano respectively for their unwavering commitment and dedication to the issuance of Hajj visas to Nigerian pilgrims which enabled the Commission to accommodate demands for visa.

The Saudi Embassy and Consulate processed and issued over 66,354 Hajj visa, since the beginning of airlift operation on the 30th July, 2017 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, with 460 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) pilgrims.