NAN-H-83
Warning
By Suleiman Shehu
Ibadan, Feb. 15, 2018 (NAN) The Oyo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has warned intending pilgrims against carrying hard or control drugs to Saudi Arabia.
The board’s Chairman, Alhaji Taofeek Akewugbagold, gave the warning on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan.
Akewugbagold said that any pilgrim caught with hard or control drugs would be given a death sentence.
He said that control drugs are treated as hard drugs in Saudi Arabia and attracts the death penalty.
Akewugbagold also urged intending pilgrims to adhere to the rules and regulations guiding hajj operation and stay away from items forbidden by the Saudi authorities.
He said that adequate security had been put in place with the help of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and Department of State Services to ensure that no pilgrim travelled with banned items.
Akewugbagold also said that the board had fixed April 30 as deadline for payment of this year’s hajj fare for intending pilgrims in the state.
He said that the state was currently collecting N1.1 million as hajj fare pending the final announcement by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The chairman said that the final amount to be paid would be communicated to the intending pilgrims immediately the announcement was made.
He, however, said that registration relating to the 2018 hajj must be completed by May 31.
“ The number of hajj seats allocated to Oyo State by NAHCON is 1,000, but we are targeting 1,500 pilgrims because close to 500 had paid so far and we are very sure NAHCON can increase the slots allocated to the state.
“The turnout for payment of hajj in the state is very impressive because of the past record of the board.
“We have special packages for the aged and we are proud that in the last four years, Oyo State has been trying to ensure that we get accommodation very close to Aram.
“ A lot of sacrifice was made to ensure that we secure accommodation for the state’s pilgrims within the vicinity of Aram,’’ Akewugbagold said.
He expressed appreciation to Gov. Abiola Ajimobi, his wife and workers of the board for their support.(NAN)
SYS/JPE/OJO
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(Edited by Joseph Edeh/Mufutau Ojo)