The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that 14 Nigerian pilgrims have lost their lives in Saudi Arabia since the commencement of the ongoing 2023 hajj operation. This revelation was made by Usman Galadima, the Chief of Operations and Head of the NAHCON National Medical Team, during a post-Arafat meeting with stakeholders in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
According to Mr. Galadima, seven pilgrims died before Arafat, six died during the five-day Mashair (pilgrimage core period), and an additional person passed away after Arafat. Highlighting the distribution of deaths, he stated, “We had six reported deaths at Mashair, four died in Arafat, and the other two died in Mina. Already we lost seven pilgrims before Arafat and just now I have just been informed that we lost another pilgrim. This brings the total number of recorded deaths to 14.”
Comparing the mortality rate to that of 2019, Mr. Galadima noted that it was similar. In addition to the fatalities, the medical team recorded three cases of chickenpox during the core hajj period. As a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the disease, the affected pilgrims were immediately moved out of the area.
Furthermore, the medical team witnessed two deliveries during the period of the hajj rituals in Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah. One of the pregnant women gave birth on the road, while the second woman was safely transported to a clinic and delivered. Emphasizing the importance of thorough pre-hajj medical screening, Mr. Galadima stressed the need for a certificate of medical fitness for all pilgrims.
Regarding the transportation of pilgrims back to Nigeria, Alhaji Goni Sanda, the NAHCON Head of Aviation, announced that the process would begin on Tuesday, July 4. He explained that the policy of “first in, first out” would be strictly adhered to in the evacuation of pilgrims. However, due to the volume of traffic and the large number of aircraft involved, the Saudi authorities have enforced a policy for the first two weeks where airlines will not operate at full capacity. Flynas, one of the carriers, will operate with only four of its six aircraft during this period.
Alhaji Abdullahi Hardawa, the Operations Commissioner of NAHCON, expressed the commission’s commitment to ensuring that pilgrims comply with the luggage policy during their return journey. He urged pilgrims to follow the 32kg luggage policy and warned against the practice of carrying multiple bags as hand luggage. This behavior not only violates regulations but also jeopardizes the safety of other passengers on the aircraft.
With the aim of having a seamless operation, Hardawa urged officials of state pilgrims boards to educate their pilgrims about the policy to avoid any inconveniences and unnecessary delays at the airport. He emphasized that this year, breaches of the luggage policy would not be tolerated, and urged pilgrims to either abide by the regulations or utilize the cargo window to transport any additional items.
As the 2023 hajj comes to a close, the Nigerian pilgrims and NAHCON officials are working towards a smooth and organized return journey, ensuring the well-being and safety of all participants.
