Nigeria is to protest the seizure of electronic
wristbands taken to Saudi Arabia for use by its
pilgrims.
The Consulate-General, Nigeria Consulate in Jeddah,
Saudi Arabia, Muhammad Yunusa, said this at the post
Arafat meeting organised by the National Hajj
Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) yesterday in Makkah.
each pilgrim's movement and facilitate easy
identification where the need arises.
However, thousands of the items were seized at the
airport in Madinah by security officials and all
entreaties by Nigerian officials for release fell on deaf
ears.
Following this, NAHCON suspended the use of the
wristbands by the pilgrims rendering the project
useless.
Mr. Yunusa said the action of Saudi authorities ran
counter to the understanding reached by the two
governments before the introduction of the wristbands.
He said the embassy had in February informed the
Saudi government of Nigeria's plan to introduce the
wristbands and this was followed up in July.
"This action is unfriendly, undiplomatic and we are
going to protest against it," he said.
The diplomat urged state officials of pilgrims welfare
agencies to caution their drivers against reckless
driving, saying it was giving Nigeria a bad image.
Earlier, the Charge d'Affairs of Nigeria to Saudi Arabia,
Salisu Umar, commended NAHCON for a hitch free
pilgrimage.
He appealed to officials to start preparing early for
next year's pilgrimage to make it better.
