30 Nigerian Hajj pilgrims died in Saudi Arabia — NAHCON

No fewer than 30 Nigerians died during the just-concluded Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Mallam Jalal Arabi, said on Monday.

Arabi, who disclosed this at a post-Hajj press briefing in Abuja, explained that about four victims passed away as a result of the heat wave recorded during the Hajj exercise.

He said, “It is very true that the 2024 Hajj experienced one of the harshest weathers that had ever been experienced in the past. But the good thing was that we were informed well in advance.

“It was included in the sensitisation we did and we provided the necessary tools to ensure our pilgrims were safeguarded. We provided safety kits, from umbrellas to newly innovated fans and other things that could keep them safe.

“But if anybody’s time is up, it is up, you can’t stop it. We tried the best we could to avert deliberate exposure to the weather. Of course, we lost pilgrims but not all died from the heat wave.

“From the 30 we lost, probably about four or five could be said to have died from the heat wave. We pray Allah to accept their souls.’’

The NAHCON boss also explained the circumstances that led to President Bola Tinubu’s approval of  N90bn subsidy for the pilgrimage exercise on the heels of the increment in Hajj fares that saw pilgrims pay as much as N8m, among other issues with private tour operators.

He said, “Recall that by the final deadline of 12th February 2024, the unforeseen spike in foreign exchange rates had totally complicated matters, necessitating fresh adjustment of the year’s Hajj fare from the initially announced N4.9m.

“The financial projection after the foreign exchange liberalisation was that each pilgrim would have to top up about N3.6m in addition to the initial payment. The situation impelled urgent intervention.

“Recognising the gravity of the situation, NAHCON promptly engaged with the Federal Government to mitigate the effects of the high cost of the foreign currency with an appeal for the government to approve a concessionary rate of N850 as exchange rate for the dollar component of the hajj fare.

“That appeal was further amplified by other reputable stakeholders in the project. We are grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his swift approval of N90bn instead.’’

Arabi said NAHCON devised a distribution strategy that played a crucial role in ensuring that all the stakeholders involved in the 2024 Hajj benefited from the government’s support.

“Each pilgrim was supported with N1,637,369.87 from the N90bn except for pilgrims under the Hajj Savings Scheme who enjoyed more.

“Hence, all registered intending pilgrims, except those on HSS, were required to pay a balance of N1,918,094.87 since the N90bn was not sufficient to make up for the balance.

“However, new registrants were asked to pay N8,454,464.74, being exempted from the Federal Government’s intervention. It is on record that eligible officials and stakeholders from all tiers of government enjoyed the subsidy from the N90b,” he stated.

The NAHCON chairman stressed that the Hajj subsidy was transparently utilised and further gave assurances of improving the processes to ensure equitable access to facilities and services for all future pilgrims.

Arabi’s explanation on Monday came weeks after the National Assembly began a probe of the N90bn Hajj subsidy.

According to the federal lawmakers, the handling of the 2024 Hajj was shoddy.

The same verdict was passed by the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Bago, who questioned the alleged poor welfare of pilgrims despite the N90bn Hajj subsidy.