SaharaReporters learnt that pilgrims from Kwara State stormed the streets on Friday to protest the delay and how they were abandoned without any provision after the incident by the government.
The movement of about 200 Nigerian Pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2024 hajj exercise was delayed on Thursday night due to a faulty aircraft brought by the government.
SaharaReporters learnt that pilgrims from Kwara State stormed the streets on Friday to protest the delay and how they were abandoned without any provision after the incident by the government.
The pilgrims, who protested on Friday at Ilorin International Airport, the capital of Kwara State, over an aircraft's inability to transport them to Saudi Arabia, were said to have boarded the plane on Thursday before it was discovered to have a defect.
However, the intended pilgrims and their families took to the busy Ilorin/Ogbomoso/Ibadan Motorway to show their anger with the development.
They obstructed the movement of vehicles along the expressway, preventing both entry and exit from the airport premises.
The road blockade was said to have led to a standstill, affecting airport operations and causing inconvenience to road users
SaharaReporters learned that the pilgrims had assembled at the state camp five days ago, expecting an aircraft, and that on Thursday, the government brought a faulty plane to take them.
But few moment after their protest, the state government issued a statement to vow that the another plane would be brought on Friday to airlift the stranded pilgrims
The statement reads: “Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims’ Board wishes to assure members of the public that the last batch of our pilgrims, who were due to be flown last night June 6, will be airlifted tonight June 7 and everyone is expected to be around now.
“The last batch of our pilgrims had already boarded the aircraft last night before engineers spotted some minor issues in one of its wings. In deference to the highest safety standards, the passengers were asked to deplane while engineers fix the issues. The repair is still being done in compliance with aviation safety protocols.
“However, a new aircraft will land in Ilorin in the next few hours to airlift the pilgrims.
“The board has been working with the airline and other stakeholders to ensure that our pilgrims are airlifted within good time, while officials and leadership of the state contingent are all on ground to give timely communication and care as things unfold.
“We call for patience, orderliness, and cooperation of all, believing (as Muslims) that all things happen within the grand design of the Almighty Allaah for good reasons.
“The board urges all the intending pilgrims and their families to show restraints as believers.
“We ask Allaah to make things easy for all, grant them journey mercies, and accept their holy pilgrimage.”
SaharaReporters also independently verified that the pilgrims began their journey to Saudi Arabia during the early hours of Saturday.