On Sunday night, two Nigerian illegal migrants were apprehended within the Nigerian camp at Muna, Saudi Arabia, where pilgrims gather for the five-day Hajj.
The arrested individuals, identified as Muhammed Umar and Nazifi Tasi’u Garba, were detained at approximately 8:20 PM Saudi time (6:30 PM Nigerian time) by the Hajj commission’s security personnel.
Their infiltration into the pilgrims’ tents has heightened concerns about overcrowding and potential thefts, issues that have already been straining the camp’s resources.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) central security committee reported that the presence of unauthorised individuals exacerbates the already overstretched accommodation facilities.
Following their arrest, Umar and Garba were handed over to the Saudi police. Authorities collected their biometric data and imposed a fine of 10,000 Saudi Riyal (approximately 2,600 USD), to be paid before they leave Saudi Arabia.
Investigations revealed that the suspects were in possession of fake documents, raising further alarms about the security measures in place to prevent unauthorised access to the camp.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges in maintaining the safety and integrity of the pilgrimage experience for lawful participants.
