Intending Pilgrims Stranded at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Stage Protest
Intending Saudi Arabia Hajj pilgrims from Lagos, Kano, and Abuja zones have been reportedly stranded at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), in Lagos State.
The affected pilgrims in anger stormed the Arik Air office at the domestic airport, protesting over the failure of the Airline to airlift them as scheduled.
According to a report by Daily Trust, the pilgrims were those of the private tour operators under the umbrella of Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON).
It further said some of the tour operators had booked Arik Air, one of the airlines approved by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), for the airlift of pilgrims to the Holy Land; noting Arik was allocated pilgrims from the private tour operators.
Many of the pilgrims who were supposed to have been airlifted on June 14 are still at the airport sleeping in the Mosques and other open places around the international airport, a pilgrim told Daily Trust.
Another pilgrim who pledged anonymity said the situation is getting out of hand and the pilgrims fear they may miss the Hajj as the closure of the Saudi airspace inches near.
The pilgrim, however, called on NAHCON to intervene as most of the pilgrims are becoming restless.
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