… last batch returns
Muslim pilgrims from Kwara State who performed the 2018 hajj have raised alarm over the loss of their luggage at the Ilorin International Airport.
This is coming just as the last batch of pilgrims from the stateย ย arrived the Airport aboard Max Air Boeing 747 at5: 26am on Thursday.
This medium, however, observed unpreparedness of security agents at the airport to receive the pilgrims.
The operatives were seen running helter-skelter to get equipment for screening after the aircraft had landed at the airport.
A security personnel who craved anonymity told this medium that they were not duly informed of the pilgrims’ arrival.
On the missing luggage, some pilgrims who spoke to this medium, shortly after they were screened, decried the handling of their luggage at the airport.
A pilgrim, Alhaji Abubakri Ndama from Edu Local Government Area of the state, complained over his alleged missing luggage.
ย “I have been searching for my baggage for hours and couldn’t find it. I have gone to the communication centre and they have announced it but to no avail,”he lamented.
He then called onย ย security agencies at the airport to assist him locate his luggage.
Another pilgrim, Yahaya Jubril from Moro Local Government, who said he was among the second batch, claimed that his luggage has been missing since then.
” I am here to confirm from the stateย ย hajj officialsย ย and NAHCON if my baggages have been found,” he further said.
Similarly, Hajia Asabe Opeyemi Babalola said she lost her luggage at the screening point and only left with her hand bag.
She said ” Iย ย had earlier seenย ย my baggage with my passport on it. I went to eat food and before I returned I couldn’t find it again. I’m calling on the security agencies and hajj officials to assist me because of the important spiritual material and other documents in it,” she appealed.
In his reaction, the Executive Secretary of Kwara State Muslims Pilgrim Welfare Board, Alhaji Tunde Jimoh assured that all the pilgrims would get their luggage.
He called on them to return to the airport for the collection of their baggages with forms of identification.
According to him, a total of 1,606 pilgrims and 8 officials that travelled for the 2018 Hajj exerciseย ย have safely arrived.
He added that there was no record of casualty both in Makkah and Madinah during and after the hajj rites.
“The last batch of 500 pilgrims from the state arrived the Ilorin International Airport at about 5.30a.m today, and they were met on arrival by their relations who have been waiting anxiously for hours.
“I wish to appreciate Almighty Allah that all the pilgrims and officials came back alive without causality.”
He lauded the state government for logisticย ย towards the success of this year’s hajj.
On his part, the Amir Hajj, Emir of Ilesha-Baruba, Professor Halidu Abubakar stressed that the exercise was successful, commending hajj officials for the perfect arrangementย ย for pilgrims in the holy Land.
He called on the pilgrims to remain steadfast and prayerful by reflecting true behaviour as faithful Muslims in their communities and society at large.
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