Hajj 2015: Pilgrims warned against drug peddling, con-men

Intending Muslim pilgrims to this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia have been warned against carrying illicit drugs and also to be conscious of whom they associate with to avoid falling victims of dubious characters who may tricked them to fall victims of drug carriage.

Officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) gave the warning yesterday in Abuja at the 5th annual Hajj Seminar of the Hajj Mabrur Ventures Limited for intending pilgrims of the organisation.

A total of 160 seats were allocat
ed to the organisation for this year’s exercise by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

An official of the NDLEA Labbo Sulaiman, a Principal Staff Officer, said any pilgrims caught with illicit drug irrespective of the quantity will not only bring shame to himself or herself, but such shame would be extended to the family and the nation.

“There is zero tolerance for drug in Saudi Arabia. Quantity does not matter even a pinch of any illegal substance can lead to life jail sentence or execution. So pilgrims must be very careful of whom they associate with and should not help anyone hold caps, bags or other items where a unscrupulous person can hide drugs and use you as decor and if you were caught the person would be nowhere to be found,” Sulaiman said.

On his part an Assistant Superintendent of Customs, A. T. Bello listed prohibited substances and other materials that would not be allowed to Saudi Arabia.

He however urged those on medication to get proper clarifications from the appropriate authorities before they depart so that they can be properly guided and that it is better for them to buy the prescribed drug in the holy land pharmacies to be on the safer side.

Dr. Abdulhameed Ridwan of the National Hospital Abuja, Operation Manager of Hajj Mabrur Alhaji Zulkifli Babatunde Adewumi and Operation Officer of Hajj Mabrur Moshhod Lambo Alabi among others also admonish the pilgrims to be of good conduct and avoid acts capable to rendering their journey and money spent useless.