2018 Hajj: Nigerians won’t endanger pilgrims’ lives, NAHCON assures S/Arabia

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has assured Saudi authorities that Nigerian pilgrims would not endanger the lives of others travelling to the Kingdom for hajj and umrah. This is coming after Saudi Arabia had threatened to block Nigerians from attending this year’s pilgrimage to the Kingdom over fears they could spread Lassa fever. […]

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has assured Saudi authorities that Nigerian pilgrims would not endanger the lives of others travelling to the Kingdom for hajj and umrah.

This is coming after Saudi Arabia had threatened to block Nigerians from attending this year’s pilgrimage to the Kingdom over fears they could spread Lassa fever.

“I want to assure our brothers in Saudi Arabia that we will not allow any of our pilgrims to endanger the lives of people from all over the world that will perform hajj or umrah,” NAHCON Chairman, Abdullahi Mukhtar, said at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja.

“We will take all necessary measures to ensure that we comply with all international accepted medical best practices,” he added.

He said Saudi Ministry of Health has mapped out strategies to prevent any intending pilgrim from Nigeria from entering the kingdom with any infectious disease.  

“This precautionary step intended to be taken by the Saudi Ministry of Health and other agencies at their entry points is a matter of concern to all of us.

“As Hajj managers, we have to do whatever it takes to complement the efforts of the Saudis in ensuring that all travellers for hajj are free from Lassa fever,” he said.

He said the commission, together with Health Ministry, state pilgrims’ boards, airliners and other relevant agencies, would conduct thorough screening of pilgrims and their luggage to ensure that they do not carry animal or insets that can transmit Lassa fever.

NAHCON boss also assured all intending pilgrims that nobody will prevent them from performing their religious obligation.

“Intending pilgrims should put their mind at rest and comfortably travel to Saudi without any fear.”

In his presentation, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, gave an update on the state of Lassa fever outbreak, saying for the last eight weeks, the disease is on a decreasing trend.

For the last one week, only one case was recorded, he said.

Since the start of the year, the minister said the disease has killed 105 people and 413 cases have been confirmed across the country.

He, however, reiterated that Nigeria does not constitute a threat to the global community. “If we are, World Health Organisation would have raised alarm.”

He said health officials are not resting. “We will continue to look out for cases to ensure that we put Nigerians and international community safe.”

Dr. Ibrahim Kana, NAHCON board member, said thorough screening of intending pilgrims would be carried out at the state level, hajj camps and airports to ensure strict compliance.

Anyone found to be suffering from any infectious ailment would be prevented from travelling to the kingdom, he added.