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HAJJ detention: It will be resolved today – Saudi Ambassador

The Saudi Arabian ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Khaled Abdrabuh has given the assurance that the controversy over the detention of  908 female Nigerian pilgrims in … Continue reading HAJJ detention: It will be resolved today – Saudi Ambassador


The Saudi Arabian ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Khaled Abdrabuh has given the assurance that the controversy over the detention of  908 female Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and the deportation of some will be resolved later today.

The deported 171 female pilgrims arriving at the Aminu Kano International Airport on Wednesday.

The Federal Government on Wednesday gave the Saudi Arabian government 24 hours to resolve the issue as instructed by the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, after he summoned the Arabian envoy to his office.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal, who is the head of federal government delegation to Saudi Arabia to resolve the impasse, met with the Saudi Arabia envoy behind closed doors on Thursday.

Honourable Tambuwal in his address to journalists stated that the Nigerian mission in Riyadh is meeting with Saudi authorities to resolve the situation.

However, the chairman of the House Committee on Foreign affairs, Representative Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, has warned that Nigeria will not hesitate to bring back her people if the issue is not resolved today.

According to the National Hajj Commission, 908 female Nigerian pilgrims were refused entry into Saudi Arabia, alleging that they breached the escort rules for female pilgrims under Saudi law.

The law of the Islamic nation stipulates that any female pilgrim that is not over 40years old must be accompanied by a male who should either be her husband, brother or father.

The Senate, also in a unanimous motion asked the presidency to immediately take necessary steps to ensure the release of all the Nigerian female pilgrims detained in authorities in Saudi Arabia.