TheCable

The National Hajj Commision of Nigeria (NAHCON) wants Nigeria and other countries involved in the stampede at hajj to be involved in the investigation of the tragedy.

Abdullahi Mukhtar, made the demand at a news conference in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, saying it was unfair to say Africans were responsible for the fatal incident.

“At this time of electronic age and the close circuit cameras install in Mecca and environment, the authority can easily know how the stampede started and who caused it,” he said.

He urged the pilgrims to follow the timetable provided by Saudi authority to prevent similar incident.

Saudi-owned al-Arabiya TV channel reported Khaled al-Faisal, a Saudi prince and head of the central hajj committee, blaming the stampede on “some pilgrims from African nationalities”.

On Friday, the government of Saudi said it would set up a committee to investigate the causes of the stampede.

Mohammed bin Naif, a royal prince, who directed the formation of the committee after a meeting with top hajj security officials, said findings of the committee would be submitted to King Salman bin Abdulazaiz.

He said the authority would not hesitate to address reasons for the stampede whatever the cost may be.

He also assured the public that the country would also provide measures to ensure safety and security of pilgrims always, especially during hajj.