MAKKAH, Saudi Arabia – Over 1,000 pilgrims from Nigeria’s Oyo State who participated in the recently concluded Hajj are stranded in Saudi Arabia, with uncertain return dates.
The Hajj, a pilgrimage to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, represents the fifth and final pillar of the Islamic faith.
Many pilgrims from other states have safely returned to Nigeria, but those from Oyo State remain unsure about their departure date.
Sayed Malik, chairman of the State Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board, confirmed the delay on Monday, July 10, 2023, and blamed the situation on logistics.
Pilgrims were supposed to be flown back to Nigeria in batches from July 10, 2023, but this plan derailed unexpectedly.
“Things took a dramatic turn as the airline officials refused to airlift the pilgrims as earlier agreed,” Malik explained. “We were surprised that there was no communication from the airline and NAHCON officials on July 10 about our departure, and our pilgrims waited in vain at their hotels for the officials who didn’t show up.”
Malik further revealed that an Aero Contractors aircraft that had transported the first batch of Nasarawa pilgrims to Nigeria did not return for others in Saudi Arabia.
The aircraft remained grounded at the Nnamdi Azikiwe airport in Abuja due to the airline’s failure to secure a landing permit in Jeddah from Saudi aviation authorities.
Oyo State’s Deputy Governor and Amir Hajj, Alhaji Bayo Lawal, has reportedly instructed the State Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board to take necessary steps to resolve the issue.
When contacted, Mousa Ubandawaki, Deputy Director, Information and Publication of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, promised to follow up on the situation.
As this unexpected logistical snag continues to keep over a thousand Nigerians stranded in Saudi Arabia, families and officials back home anxiously await the resolution of this issue.
