The First Aid Group of Islamic Organizations in Nigeria has faulted the way and manner they were treated as well as the denial to carry out their activities during the 2024 Hajj operations at the Ilorin international airport in Kwara state.
The groups blamed the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) who allegedly gave the Chief Security Officer of the airport Mr Ayila the directive to stop them from over decades of Islamic first aid activities at the airports across the country in Ilorin.
One of the Commander, JIBWIS First Aid Abuja, Malam Mustapha Nasiru Batsari in an interview confirmed that they were denied completely access to the Ilorin international airport throughout the 2024 Hajj operations without genuine reason.
Mustapha Batsari added that he approached the Chief Security Officer of the airport Mr Ayila who reluctantly told him that they were all voluntary organizations and will not allowed them into the airport for any activity.
Commander Batsari expressed dismay over the unacceptable treatment, adding that their activities is voluntary and free of charge by assisting the pilgrims during screening, carrying of luggage and even the sick to ease their journey but the pilgrims were denied such privilege in Ilorin for selfish reasons of the airport management.
He therefore called on the federal government, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and other relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances leading to the denial of their activities and come up with operational actions to forestall future reoccurrence.
He emphasized that the most pilgrims and Kwara State Pilgrims Welfare Board had lamented over such decision from FAAN and airport management which they described as very unfortunate, calling for its reversal.
According to him, the Islamic First Aid Groups include; JIBWIS Abuja, Izala Headquarters Jos, Jama’atu Nasirul Islam (JNI), Fitiyanul Islam, Sheriff Guard among others.
Source: People Daily Newspaper
