A civil society organisation, Independent Hajj Reporters, has called on the federal and state governments to make adequate security arrangements for the intending pilgrims at Hajj camps and embarkation points across the country.

It said the call became necessary as the transportation of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia begins on Wednesday.

The IHR is a faith-based CSO that monitors and reports hajj and umrah activities

The call was made in a statement to journalists on Monday in Kaduna by the group’s National Coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed.

He said that over 65,000 intending pilgrims from Nigeria would be leaving their homes to various hajj camps for screening and onward transportation to about 15 airports within the next 30 days.

Mr Mohammed pointed out that such mass movement of people from one point to another creates serious security challenges that need a comprehensive and coordinated strategy by the various security agencies in the country.

While appreciating the efforts made by security agencies in previous operations, he called on the Federal Government to activate a high-level security surveillance system across Nigeria.

He noted that it was to monitor and protect the movement of the prospective pilgrims throughout the outbound and inbound airlift operations.

Mr Mohammed also urged the state’s Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards to advise intending pilgrims against coming to hajj camps with large escorts usually made up of family members.

According to him, such numbers increase the likelihood of security breaches especially when the transportation operations demand that pilgrims could be invited to hajj camps at any time of the day or night.

He said, “State governments should complement the federal security architecture by mobilising vigilantes and other volunteers to form a hajj security team. They should provide them with internal communication equipment with state hajj officials, airliners and other airlift stakeholders.’’

The coordinator further appealed to security forces to take necessary measures to prevent evil-minded groups from exploiting the hajj season to carry out acts of sabotage.

“Anticipating and preparing for potential security threats before they materialise will help in identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities and weaknesses ahead of time,” Mr Mohammed said.

(NAN)