Alhaji Mantu who bared his mind on the issue in a press briefing in Jeddah said, the body when set up, will reduce persistent sufferings of the pilgrims encounter each year.

According to the Amirul Hajj, though this year’s exercise was described as best, he however, expressed reservations with some of the arrangements made.

Alhaji Mantu who is also the Deputy Senate President, disclosed that their main concern now is a hitch-free return journey to Nigeria, explaining that they have made adequate arrangements to that effect should any carrier fail.

He lamented the panicky situation people were subjected to as a result of lack of proper planning when airlifting the pilgrims to the Holy land, assuring that measures have been taken to avoid similar occurrence in the return journey.

“With a dedicated screening bay for Nigerians, the airlines would be able to beat the deadline on schedule,” appealing to the pilgrims to adhere to the 40kg for luggage and 10kg for hand baggage.

Meanwhile, Senator Mantu has inspected some weighing centres in Makkah where he commended pilgrims from Nasarawa, Zamfara and Sokoto states for complying with the directives, but lamented on the attitude of pilgrims from Kano, Plateau and Jigawa states for the problems they have been causing.

In a related development, the head federal government delegation, had disclosed that Nigeria has not suffered any casualty in the recent flood disaster except some personal belongings that got missing.

Senator Mantu however, confirmed that a total of 17 Nigerian pilgrims have so far died as a result of sickness which he said the rate was low compared to previous exercises, adding that some of the pilgrims are currently hospitalized.

Impressed by the behaviour of Nigerian pilgrims, Senator Mantu commended them as no one was caught with drugs or had committed any illegality and expressed delight with Saudi authorities’ ranking of Nigeria as one of the best behaved nations for the Hajj.