Kebbi Government Officials (KGOs) have successfully rescued three missing Nigerian pilgrims in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, according to the News Agency of Nigeria. These officials, who are state-sponsored, assist pilgrims during Hajj.
Speaking in Mecca on Tuesday, Nasir Idris, the Executive Director of the Kebbi branch of Women’s Right Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), detailed the rescue operations. One of the rescued pilgrims, a woman from Kamba Local Government Area, had lost her way and ended up behind the Al-Masjid Al-Haram (Kaaba). The KGOs intervened and helped her return to her accommodation via a taxi service.
Idris highlighted the diverse roles of KGOs, which include providing translation services and acting as intermediaries due to language barriers. They also offer valuable suggestions to committees to ensure the smooth execution of the Hajj.
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“Our assistance is not limited to Kebbi pilgrims alone; we help all Nigerian pilgrims whenever needed,” Idris noted. He mentioned a recent instance where KGOs rescued two women from Bauchi State who had lost their way to their hotel. Thanks to the quick intervention of the KGOs, the women were safely guided back.
Idris emphasized the importance of the humanitarian services provided by the KGOs and assured that these efforts would continue throughout the Hajj operation. He urged pilgrims to cooperate with officials and advised them to travel in groups to avoid getting lost. He also stressed the importance of prudent spending of their basic travel allowance and seeking regular guidance from clerics to perform proper Hajj rituals.
“We ask for more support and cooperation from the pilgrims to ensure a successful Hajj exercise,” Idris concluded.
