The Kwara State Muslim Welfare Board said on Tuesday that 82 prospective pilgrims from the state failed to perform this year's Hajj due to non issuance of visas by the Saudi authorities.

Hajia Fatima Jimoh, the Executive Secretary of the board, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin that the pilgrims were supposed to be part of the 2,563 slots allocated to the state by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.

She said the non issuance of visas to them was due to the issue of Muharam (companion) raised by the Saudi authorities at the beginning of the exercise.

Jimoh said the board had met with the affected pilgrims and apologised to them.

She assured them that they would be in the first batch to be transported for the 2013 operation.

The board's boss warned prospective pilgrims from the state not to pay their fares to any agent, stating that the board would not recognise such persons.

Jimoh also said all the 2,418 pilgrims that made the journey from the state returned hale and healthy with their luggage.

The executive secretary said the board had started analysing the 2012 exercise in order to further improve on the 2013 operation. (NAN)