The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has refuted claims that over 600 Nigerian pilgrims stayed behind illegally in Saudi Arabia after completing the lesser Hajj.
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, had sparked concern by tweeting on his official X account on Saturday, suggesting that these pilgrims had refused to return, which could lead Saudi authorities to tighten visa regulations.
“Over 600 Nigerians who travelled to Saudia for lesser Hajj refused to return and this will compel the Saudi authorities to tighten their visa rules. Many of those who want to travel will likely be tossed,” Sani wrote.
However, NAHCON’s Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Fatima Usara, firmly denied the allegation, stating that there was no evidence to support such a claim from either Saudi or Nigerian authorities.
“We do not have such correspondence or information from Saudi Arabia, neither did we receive such information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Immigration…