There was a mild drama in Kano on Thursday when one of the intending pilgrims who did not make the final flight to the Holy land declared that he was going to perform and complete his pilgrimage at the Hajj Camp.
At the Hajj Camp, Malam Jibrin Abdu from Gezawa became the centre of attraction after he was sighted dressed in a white robe and declaring that he has already started his pilgrimage at the camp.
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“I have started already since we have all the facilities here and I will surely come back and complete it. I know how to do it. This is not my first time and will surely not be the last,” he said.
He added that he sold his farmland just to go for the pilgrimage “but some unruly leaders made it impossible,” even as he accepted it as the will of God.
Aside Malam Abdu, a woman, Suwaiba Sani, alongside several others rained curses on “all those who has hands in our plight”, with the woman, who was lamenting aggressively, insisting she will not forgive all those that made it impossible for her and others to make the pilgrimage.
Daily Trust reports that at least 745 intending pilgrims were left stranded at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano on Thursday after the last Saudi-bound flight departed the airport at 3:45pm.
The executive Secretary of Kano state Pilgrims Welfare Board, Muhammad Abba Danbatta, who also missed the pilgrimage, along with several directors of the board, blamed the last-minute disappointment on the failure of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to honour the rescue mission arrangement after the initial disappointment from Azman Airline, which led to an extension by the Saudi government.
