Usman commends Saudi govt for smooth Hajj
The Nasarawa state Amirul Hajj, retired Grp Capt. Usman Jibrin, has commended the Saudi Arabian authorities for ensuring a smooth Hajj exercise this year.
In an interview with the News Agency of News Agency (NAN) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Jibrin said that the expansion of the Jamrat area has addressed the problems of stampede which in the past resulted in the death of many pilgrims.
He pointed out that the establishment of hospitals at Arafat and Mina has also helped in alleviating the sufferings of the pilgrims during the exercise.
He, however, called on the Saudi authorities to arrest the menace of illegal pilgrims, who have been constituting problems at Mina by blocking the area and preventing the free flow of traffic.
Jibrin expressed delight with the deployment of well-trained and equipped security personnel in the places of worship.
NAN correspondent reports that there was no report of death of pilgrims this year at the Jamrah area, where hundreds of pilgrims died in the past two years.
The Saudi government spent 4.2 million riyals or N163.8 million to expand the area.
Meanwhile, some pilgrims from Nasarawa have commended the government for excellent arrangements so far, in the current exercise.
One of the pilgrims, Alhaji Musa Waziri, from Akwanga said he was impressed with the arrangements made both at home and in Saudi Arabia.
Many of the pilgrims interviewed said they used the opportunity to pray for Nigeria, especially for a peaceful conduct of the forthcoming general elections.