A delegation from the Nigerian Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, led by Senator Ali Ndume, has visited the site of a recent fire outbreak that affected the accommodation of Nigerian pilgrims in the Shar Mansur area of Makkah.
The lawmakers, who are on an oversight visit to Saudi Arabia, expressed gratitude that the incident did not result in any casualties.
Speaking during the visit, Senator Ndume said, “We thank God that no lives were lost. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) acted swiftly, relocating the pilgrims to a new lodge.”
He added that the committee was there to evaluate the situation and show support to those affected.
Suleiman Ali Muhammad, one of the pilgrims impacted by the fire and a native of Borno State, recounted the ordeal as traumatic.
He, however, commended NAHCON’s prompt response, noting that the commission’s chairman had personally visited and reassured them that measures were being taken to address the situation.
Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, the NAHCON Chairman, confirmed that Saudi authorities had not yet disclosed the official cause of the fire.
He acknowledged that while the blaze damaged personal items in six rooms, no lives were endangered.
