NAHCON secures release of seven Nigerian pilgrims arrested in Saudi
Following their failure to bring their Nusuk identity cards, seven Nigerian pilgrims were detained by Saudi authorities in Mecca. Their release has been facilitated by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
This was revealed to media on Saturday by Aliyu Tanko, the NAHCON coordinator in Mecca.
Between Monday and Saturday, the arrests took place throughout the city at different sites.
Pilgrims were cautioned by the commission not to undertake the hajj without the Nusuk ID card.
“As soon as we learned of it, we took swift action to get the authorities to release them,” Mr. Tanko stated.
According to the coordinator, in order to prevent arrests, NAHCON has been urging pilgrims to carry their Nusuk cards with them wherever they go.
One of the victims informed reporters in Mecca that she had been issued a Nusuk card before it was misplaced, but she had since asked to be given another one.
I misplaced the Nusuk card that was issued to me upon arrival. I haven’t received the second one even though I asked for one. This is the time that I was arrested.
