The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, on Thursday carried out an inspection of key facilities in four sacred sites (Masha’ir) in Mecca.

The sites inspected were in Muna, Arafat, Jamrat and Munzilifat, in preparation for the commencement of the hajj rites.

Aliu Tanko, NAHCON’s team member in charge of the movement of pilgrims, said the idea was to intimate officials and educate them on the routes the pilgrims would follow.

“From Makkah, they will come directly to Mina, after they stay in Mina, the following night we are coming down to Arafat.

“This is the most important location and the most important place for the whole hajj. Whoever misses this, misses the hajj. You are given a lot of rules and regulations,” Mr Tanko said.

Mr Tanko added that the essence was to protect the pilgrims’ lives.

“If everybody is allowed to walk the way they like, they will be endangering themselves because of the weather. That is why they are advised to keep themselves in the tent where they have good living condition, until they are instructed to move,” Mr Tanko explained.

He said that the commission was committed to ensuring that Nigerian pilgrims observe the hajj rites properly.

Mr Tanko urged the pilgrims to always obey the directives of hajj officials so as to guarantee their safety.

(NAN)