By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

As the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) gets set to begin the transportation of Nigerian intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia on May 25, 2023, Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a Media-Related Civil Society Organisation (CSO) that monitors and reports on Hajj and Umrah activities, has called on agencies responsible to ensure improved security across all departure centres to guarantee safe airlift of the pilgrims.

IHR, in a statement on Thursday, signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed, said the call became necessary due to the experience of last year’s Hajj operation.

“Nigerians may recall that pilgrims from Niger State had to be ferried to Abuja because of security challenges in Mina and inadequate security around Minna Airport.

“Also, Kaduna-bound aircraft had to be diverted to Kano due to security concerns while a convoy of vehicles conveying intending pilgrims in Sokoto State was attacked by suspected bandits, leading to the death of a security agent,” the statement added.

The CSO also said preparations for this year’s airlift was already being challenged by the Sudanese Conflict and urged authorities to ensure that adequate security personnel were deployed to all departure centres.

The statement advised all State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Agencies to borrow a leaf from NAHCON by coming up with a standing committee on security, with a mandate to ensure full protection of all intending pilgrims and facilities being used for transit.