The Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has said that henceforth all intending pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia for hajj must present a guarantor.
The Chairman of the agency, Alhaji Muktar Bello Maigona, said the measure was taken to curb cases of pilgrims absconding in the Holy land during the exercise.
Maigona announced this at the flag off of registration of intending pilgrims for this year’s hajj in Sokoto.
The state was allocated 4,844 seats for this year’s hajj by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
He explained that the guarantors must be an Imam of a Jumuat Mosque, District Head or a civil servant not below Grade level 12.
Maigona said no registration would be done by proxy, urging anybody who wants a hajj seat to appear in person at any registration offices in the 23 local government areas of the state.
He said intending female pilgrims must present a male guardian (mahram) before being registered.
Also speaking the Director General of the agency, Alhaji Shehu Muhammad Dange, said intending pilgrims could pay their deposit in three months instalments beginning from January.
He said those who have performed Hajj in the last four years have to pay an additional 2,000 Saudi Riyals or its equivalent before being registered in line with Saudi Arabia authorities