A Central Security Monitoring Team for 2019 Hajj inaugurated by the Chairman of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Barrister Abdullahi Muhammad, has commenced groundwork for the 2019 Hajj.
Director of Public Affairs Division of the Commission, Hajia Fatima Sanda Usara, disclosed this in a statement sent to The DEFENDER. Usara said the inauguration took place Monday 14 May 2019.
“The 10- man committee draws membership from the country’s security agencies namely, National Intelligence Agency (NIA); Department of State Security Service (DSS);the Nigerian Police Force (NPF); the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP); Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC); Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC); Special Services Office from the Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SSO, OSGF), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS); Nigerian Custom Service (NCS); National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA); Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
“They were tasked with the burden of managing security matters in all aspects of the 2019 exercise beginning from local fronts onwards to foreign domains. They were charged to be proactive, watching out for preventive strategies rather than post-mortem analysis of unfortunate occurrences. Particularly, their attentions were drawn to drug related as well as human trafficking felons waiting to take advantage of the pilgrimage period to carryout their heinous trades.
“Generally, they are expected to gather intelligence reports that would guide the Commission even in its future plans. According to NAHCON’s Chairman, the ultimate objective of the team is to carry out missions that will translate to safety of Nigerian pilgrims from the moment they set out to the airports, to the period of their stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia until they return to Nigeria. They were enjoined to look out for miscreants exploiting naïve Nigerian pilgrims during Hajj seasons.
“In his acceptance speech, Chairman of the committee reassured the Commission that they are here to offer efficient service to NAHCON from their different professional perspectives. He expressed that they have been humbled by the manner in which the Commission’s CEO opened their eyes to their responsibilities. Calling upon members of the team to be fully prepared he expressed caution that the task is more challenging given the offshore dimension of their responsibility. He prayed that they all would work as a team with the realisation that their total loyalty must be given to NAHCON on whose vision they all are gathered.
“The committee has since commenced its assignment,” the statement said.
…Aviation Monitoring Committee for 2019 Hajj inaugurated
In the meantime, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has inaugurated the Aviation Monitoring Committee for 2019 Hajj.
The team is expected, among other duties, to evaluate status of different airports from where Muslim pilgrims will be airlifted to the holy land, Director of Public Affiars of NAHCON, Hajia Fatimah Sanda Usara said in a statement she sent to The DEFENDER.
“They are to make recommendations to NAHCON as well as other air transport agencies on state of readiness of the airports for the airlift. The committee is also expected to evaluate equipment for luggage screening, luggage conveyance and quality of utilities at the airports for use by pilgrims.Additionally, they are to liaise with airports’ authority on provision of standard services for pilgrims similar to what is enjoyed by international travellers. Furthermore, the committee is to liaise with NAHCON’s central security committee to evolve new strategies against human and drug related traffickingduring Hajj, to broaden the already existing security measures at the airports.
“Inaugurating the committee in NAHCON’s head office on Thursday9th of April 2019, the Chief Executive0fficer and Chairman of the commission, Barr. AbdullahiMukhtar Muhammad reminded the members that their job is instrumental to the success of 2019 Hajj operation considering the fact that airlift comprise a large percentage of the operation. Therefore, their role includes monitoring both inbound and outbound flights, ensuring compliance to airports rules, flight schedules by state pilgrims’ boards as well as airline operators.
“Responding, Chairman of the committee who doubles as a NAHCON Board member, AlhajiAminuIbrahinDutse from the Ministry of Aviation, acknowledged the enormity of the task ahead of them. While accepting the assignment, AlhajiDutse pledged to work hard to realise their mandate as advised by theNAHCON chief.
“The nine-man committee comprises aviation professionals drawn from Ministry of Aviation, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority (FAAN), Nigeria Airports Management Authority (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Accident Investigation Bureau and NAHCON aviation specialists. The committee has since begun sitting,” she said.
