The three missing Nigerian pilgrims from Kebbi State performing this year’s pilgrimage have been rescued by the State government officials in Mecca, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
They are pilgrims sponsored by the Kebbi state government to perform the 2024 Hajj at the same time to assist pilgrims where necessary.
Chief Press Secretary to Kebbi State Governor, Malam Ahmed Idris confirmed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.
Executive Director, Women’s Right Advancement and Protection Alternative, WRAPA, Kebbi State branch, Nasir Idris was said to have confirmed that they had rescued a woman from Kamba Local Government Area of Kebbi.
He said the woman missed her way back home, instead, she further went behind the Al-Masjid Al-Haram (Kaaba) leading to a different area.
“As Kebbi State Government officials we have to intervene and redirect her back home through a taxi service,” he said.
Idris said some of the state officials sometimes assist in translation and stand as intermediaries due to language barriers, adding that they also offer useful suggestions to committees to lead to the success of the Hajj exercise.
He said the activities of officials were not restricted to Kebbi State alone but they render assistance to all pilgrims from Nigeria when in need of such assistance.
“We recently rescued two women from Bauchi State who missed their way to their hotel but quick intervention of Kebbi State officials led them to their hotels without difficulty,” he said.
The CEO said the humanitarian services being rendered by the officials were still ongoing throughout the Hajj exercise and appealed for more support and cooperation from pilgrims to ensure a successful Hajj operation.
Idris advised the pilgrims to always move in groups to avoid missing their directions.
‘He said, ”They should always be cautious in spending their basic travelling allowance.
”They should also be routinely asking the clerics for guidance on the proper Hajj rituals for them to perform an acceptable Hajj.