The Forum of Chief Executive Officers of State Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Agencies and Commissions has condemned the infiltration of Mina by illegal migrants (Takarai) during the period of the core hajj rituals.

The forum’s chairman, Idris Al-Makura, made the condemnation while briefing journalists on the outcome of the just-concluded 2024 Hajj rituals on Saturday in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Mina, also known as Muna and commonly known as the “City of the Tents,” is a valley located eight kilometres southeast of Mecca.

Mr Al-Makura, chairman of the Nasarawa State Pilgrims Welfare Boards, said the infiltration of Mina by the illegal migrants constitutes a nuisance to the environment.

He, therefore, called on Saudi Arabia’s government to tighten its hole in the Mina entry.

Mr Al-Makura said, ” We are here today because of the just concluded 2024 Hajj rituals, and normally we used to sit down and review what has happened and adopt a resolution.

” So that we will be able to plan ahead. As you rightly heard during the post-afarat meeting, the chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Jalal Arabi, said that 2025 had kick-started.

” So, we are here to let the whole world know what happened during the just concluded hajj ritual.”

Mr Al-Makura said the forum commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for the early processing and approval of the 2024 hajj visas.

” This is the first time that state pilgrims got visas between two to three weeks before an outbound flight; this is commendable, and the forum encourages NAHCON to sustain them,” he said.

Mr Al-Makura said the inbound transportation of Nigerian pilgrims was commended, and prayed that the outbound operation would be seamless.

On medical services, the forum’s secretary, Abubakar Salihu, said the national medical team had done its best to provide effective service delivery to the Nigerian pilgrims.

(NAN)