The Federal Government, through the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the Nigeria Consulate in Saudi Arabia, is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that
families of those killed and injured in last week’s crane crash tragedy at Grand Mosque Mecca, Saudi Arabia are duly compensated as promised by the Saudi Kingdom.
It will be noted that a total of six Nigerians lost their lives in the accident, while three were injured.
King Salman also announced that the Kingdom would host two family members of those who died for next year’s Hajj, while those who were injured and cannot complete their spiritual exercise this year would be able to return next year as the king’s guests.
Also, family members of the injured persons in hospitals would be granted visit visas to remain in the Kingdom.
According to the chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Abdullahi Mukhtar, said part of the efforts by the commission was to ensure that the money reached families of the bereaved as well as others earmarked to be beneficiaries.
He confirmed that the injured ones were stable and responding to treatment.
Mukhtar stated that there was no incidence of the arrest of Nigerian government official in Saudi, contrary to some media reports.
He clarified that what happened was that pilgrims from a particular state who went to Mecca for personal business without their papers were detained by security agencies but were later released.