Yobe state pilgrims performing this year hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia are to be airlifted from the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano and not Maiduguri airport as was the case in the past, Speaker of the Yobe State House of Assembly, Hon Adamu Dala Dogo has said. Read more
Dogo who is also the Yobe State Amrul Hajj and leader of the delegation for this year’s exercise also indicated in an interaction with journalists in Damaturu on Friday that the increasing insecurity on the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway compelled authorities in Yobe to shift the airlift of its intending pilgrims this year from Maiduguri to Kano.
“We cannot guarantee the safety of our 2,316 pilgrims at Maiduguri International Airport. You know what happened to motorists and passengers last Tuesday and Wednesday at Benishiekh town. This was why we took the decision, despite the inconveniences it may cause to our pilgrims. It is better to take such decision to protect lives of our pilgrims and officials to Saudi Arabia to pray for the restoration of peace not only in this state, but the entire country,” he explained.
“Over 95 per cent of the pilgrims are first timers and self-sponsored individuals from 17 Local Government Areas of the state, while five per cent of the pilgrims are being sponsored by the Gaidam administration.”
Recall that Boko Haram insurgents killed several motorists and travelers at Benisheik on Tuesday along the 132-kilometer Maiduguri-Damaturu road during an attack on the town. No fewer than 140 people were killed even as officials of the state environmental agency are still picking up decomposing bodies of the victims from the bushes.
From TIMOTHY OLANREWAjU, Maiduguri
CULLED FROM THE SUN NEWSPAPER
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