In a surprising and chaotic development, multiple planes intended to transport Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage have been forced to return empty due to an ongoing strike by organized labor.
The strike, which commenced on Monday, has severely disrupted the travel plans of thousands of Muslim pilgrims. Reports indicate that aviation workers at major airports, including Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Yola International Airport, Aminu Kano International Airport, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, physically blocked the planes and prevented them from departing with passengers. As a result, the planes had to return to Saudi Arabia without any pilgrims.
This disruption has left over 60,000 Nigerian pilgrims stranded and uncertain about their pilgrimage, a journey for which they have been preparing for months.
Prof. Ishaq Akintola, Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), expressed deep concern over the situation. “We urge the organized labor to consider the plight of thousands of Nigerian Muslims currently stranded due to the ongoing strike. We appeal to the NLC/TUC to call off the strike immediately, enabling these pilgrims to travel to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage,” he stated.
Akintola also highlighted the broader implications of the strike, noting its impact on the Id al-Kabiir festival preparations and the potential threats to the lives of Muslim pilgrims. He called for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and declare a state of emergency if the strike continues, to alleviate the hardship and suffering of the pilgrims and the nation.
As the situation unfolds, the stranded pilgrims and their families await a swift resolution to ensure their sacred journey can proceed.
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