Leader of Borno 2024 Hajj committee decries multiple luggage by pilgrims
Borno state Amirul Hajj, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan during an interview with Radio Nigeria
By Dauda Iliya
The leader of Borno state 2024 Hajj committee, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan has expressed concern over the increasing trend of pilgrims carrying multiple luggage during the Hajj pilgrimage.
Speaking to Radio Nigeria shortly after the arrival of the last batch of Borno pilgrims at the Muhammadu Buhari International airport in Maiduguri, Senator Lawan said the issue of pilgrims bringing multiple bags has become a major logistical challenge for the committee.
He said the entire Hajj exercise was largely successful but not without some operational concerns.
According to the Amirul Hajj, some pilgrims deliberately dumped their excess luggage in Macca, Saudi Arabia for the committee to ferry them to Maiduguri.
“One of the areas the Committee had challenges was multiple luggages as opposed to standard required of a pilgrim. This has actually hindered the smooth operation of the weighing sub committee and the Amirul Hajj committee as well” Kaka Shehu said.
Chairman of the committee explained that the recommended luggage for each pilgrim is one medium-sized 32 kilograms and 8 kilograms small handbag.
However, he said some pilgrims have been bringing as many as 3-4 large bags, which puts a strain on the resources of the state government.
“We are seriously entangled by number of bags that were dumped to the committee to ferry same to Maiduguri”.
Senator Kaka Shehu remarked that Governor Babagana Zulum had to approve additional funds for conveyance of the luggage through cargo.
Radio Nigeria had earlier reported that Borno pilgrims have flocked Saudi Arabian markets for purchase of gifts and souvenirs to families and friends despite the fall in the value of Naira.
Correspondent Dauda Iliya gathered that more than 100 bags were dumped by some pilgrims in Macca, which the committee has to foot the responsibility of transporting them back to the state.
