Intending Muslim pilgrims protest

Yekini Jimoh, Ilorin - 30.11.2007

MUSLIM pilgrims from Ekiti and Kwara states on Thursday trooped out in thousands protesting the non-availability of airline to lift them to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj.

The pilgrims, who took over the main roads from Asa Dam, were holding placards with various inscriptions. Some of the pilgrims who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune said they had decided to come out and formally protest so that the people of the state and the country could know what they were facing for the past three weeks.

According to them, the first flight left last Sunday at about 1.00 p.m. “with 200 pilgrims, but the Bellview airline was to come back last Monday to lift another, but did not show up while on Tuesday, flights were cancelled without any official reason.”

They added that the Bellview airline did not have the full capacity to lift all the pilgrims from Ilorin International Airport Zone as the plane earmarked for the operation was small.

They insisted that they must see the state government over the present situation, adding that it would be unfair if they failed to make it to Saudi Arabia this year since Jeddah airport would soon be closed.