The crisis generated by the failure of 700 intending pilgrims from Kano to perform this year’s hajj is yet to subside as the Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria has heaped the blame on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday in Kano, the association’s National President, Alhaji Nasidi Suleiman, warned that the majority of his members, who are aggrieved would head to court to seek redress.
He then called on the Federal Government to institute a panel to thoroughly investigate the incident and reprimand those responsible.
“If the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria fails to urgently release all monies paid by the association into its RIGs account, as flight booking, to enable members to commence the refunding of their clients, members will sue individually,” he said.
Suleiman lamented that his reputation has been tarnished over the unfortunate development.
“The reason for them missing the journey was due to the inability of the National Hajj Commission to provide alternative carriers, as rescue fights to airlift the pilgrims,” he said.
Among others, the association is also seeking refunds for all companies whose IBAN were not credited but forced to patronise the black market for forex to process visa. It also appealed to the Federal Government to constitute a committee to review this year’s Hajj activities from the beginning.
