The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on recently said it was in receipt of a circular from the Government of Saudi Arabia prohibiting the importation of kola nuts, popularly called “goro”, “obi” in hausa and yoruba parlance into the Kingdom during the 2016 Hajj.
The commission said the Saudi government threatened in the circular to punish any pilgrim who smuggles in Kola nut, in accordance with the laws of the Kingdom. “By this, all Nigerian intending pilgrims are advised to adhere strictly to the Saudi rules and regulations on prohibited items,” NAHCON said.
The agency urged States’ Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards/Agencies/Commissions as well as all the licensed tour operators to properly enlighten their pilgrims on the matter. On its own part, the Commission said it would sanction any pilgrim boards/agencies/commissions or tour operators which flout the instruction.
Meanwhile, NAHCON has commenced the capturing of data of intending pilgrims for the issuance of 2016 Hajj visa. The Commission said a total number of 15,531 pilgrims had so far been captured.