Accident pilgrims from Nasarawa ‘ll be airlifted as scheduled— AlMakura -as three with serious injuries were dropped

By David Okpashi

The Intending pilgrims from Nasarawa State involved in auto crash Wednesday in Keffi on their way to Hajj Camp in Abuja for the 2023 Hajj will be airlifted to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia as planned, the commission’s secretary has said

The Executive Secretary, of the commission, Mallam Idris Ahmad Almakura disclosed this Thursday when he visited some intending Pilgrims involved in an accident yesterday ahead of their airlifting in in keffi.

Addressing the victims, at the Federal Medical Centre Keffi, Mallam Almakura said those involved with minor injuries will be allow to continue their journey to the holy land.

explaining that two out of the victims had fracture in their legs while one sustained serious neck injury and had been drop as they can not be able to embark on the spiritual journey.

Mallam Idris Almakura who was accompanied by some Board members and staff of the board called on the affected Pilgrims to remain calm and have faith in God saying the board have settle all the medical bills, just as he appealed to the management of the hospital to give more attention to the victims for quick response.

On the number of pilgrims participating in this year’s Hajj from the state, AlMakura said a total of 2,100 intending pilgrims are to perform the pilgrimage this year adding that out of the number, 800 of the pilgrims are female while 1,300 are male.

Mallam AlMakura who dispelled insinuations that the board have been receiving deposits from pilgrims behind the scene, noted that such rumours were based on ignorance.

“There is difference between deposits and the main hajj fare, deposits are made before the hajj fares officially as declared by the government.

“After the fares are declared and its discovered that the amount deposited by prospective intending pilgrim is more than the actual fares, such intending pilgrim will write for refund of the balance from the board, will comply without delay”, the board executive secretary declared.

He said at no time were there complain by any intending pilgrim against the board over non refund of funds involving such deposits in his commission noting that the board is run based on global best practices entrenched by Governor Abdullahi Sule.

He gave an assurance that the board under his leadership will continue to adhere strictly to the practice of transparency and accountability in line with the present administration’s mantra.