Nigerian pilgrim among arrested illegal immigrants in Makkah
A Nigerian pilgrim was nearly deported last week by the Saudi Arabian
authorities as he was arrested as an illegal immigrant in Makkah.
According to our reporter, it was reliably informed that the pilgrim
(name withheld) was arrested by Saudi police who raided a house full
of illegal immigrants and arrested everyone found at the time of the
raid.
It was gathered that the pilgrim, who was arrested alongside others
found in the building, was saved by the wristband put on the wrists of
all pilgrims performing this year’s hajj.
The band, it was learnt, distinguished the Nigerian pilgrim as being
in the country legally to perform the spiritual exercise, having been
granted visa by the Saudi authorities.
A source informed that when the police realised that the pilgrim was
not an illegal immigrant, he was dropped off somewhere to find his way
back to his hotel in Makkah.
Being in an unknown place, the pilgrim, according to the source,
called another pilgrim who in turn informed Nigerian officials. The
officials were said to have gone to pick the pilgrim from where he was
dropped off by the Saudi police.
An official of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), who
confirmed the incident on condition of anonymity, said officials took
the pilgrim back to his hotel.
The official informed that the pilgrim on interrogation told them that
he went to visit his relative who had been leaving in Saudi Arabia for
some time when the raid was conducted.
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