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Shun hard drugs, many Nigerians still on death row, Dabiri-Erewa warns pilgrims
Nigerian Muslim pilgrims to this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia have been cautioned against going to the holy land with hard drugs and large quantities of kolanuts and prescription painkillers.
The warning was handed to them by the chairperson of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in a statement on Wednesday by the commission’s Head of Media, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa, who called on the pilgrims to know that Saudi laws prescribe death penalty against drug traffic, frowned that there are still Nigerians who disobey Saudi Arabia authorities’ law, despite several warnings and workshops for intending pilgrims.
Reminding the pilgrims that some Nigerians caught with hard drugs in the last few years were still on death row in Saudi Arabia, NIDCOM chairperson, begged them to avoid the shameful act.
Noting that kolanuts and prescription painkillers in large quantities have been banned in Saudi Arabia, she told them that those caught with will face severe penalties according to new Saudi Arabia regulations.
READ ALSO: Nigeria needs prayers now more than ever before – Buhari
Meanwhile, she assured the pilgrims that the Federal Government, through the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and various state boards, had made arrangements to see to the medical requirements of the pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
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