By Sunday Etuka, Abuja
A faith-based Civil Society Organization (CSO), Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), has called on the Federal and state governments to make adequate security arrangements for pilgrims at embarkation points across the country.
The call was in respect to the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia starting from Wednesday this week.
In a statement on Monday by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed, the CSO said, “the over 65, 000 intending pilgrims from Nigeria will be leaving their homes to various Hajj camps for screening and onward transportation to about 15 airports within the next 30 days.
“Such mass movement of people from one point to another creates serious security challenges that need a comprehensive and coordinated strategy by the various security agencies in the country”, it said.
While appreciating the efforts made by security agencies in previous operations, the IHR called on the federal government to order and activate a high-level security surveillance system to monitor and protect the movement of pilgrims throughout the outbound and inbound airlift operations.
“We also urge State Muslim pilgrims’ welfare boards to advise intending pilgrims against coming to hajj camps with large escorts usually made up of family members as such increases the likelihood of security breaches especially when airlift operations demand that pilgrims can be invited to hajj camps at any time of the day or night”, it added.
The CSO also urged the state governments to complement the federal security architecture by mobilizing local vigilantes and other volunteers to form a hajj security team and provide them with internal communication equipment with state hajj officials, airliners and other airlift stakeholders.
The statement noted that “as journalists who worked closely with security agencies during hajj operations, IHR had in the last few years honour security institutions during its annual hajj lectures and awards to appreciate and encourage them to improve on their daunting tasks of maintaining security of lives and properties across the country.
IHR further appeals to Security forces to take necessary “measures to prevent evil-minded groups from exploiting the Hajj season to carry out acts of sabotage.
“Anticipating and preparing for potential security threats before they materialize will help in identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities and weaknesses ahead of time”, the statement said.
