Edo warns intending Muslim pilgrims against drug trafficking

The Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Board has warned intending pilgrims in the state against travelling with drugs and other contraband to Makkah for the holy pilgrimage.

The board’s Executive Secretary, Iduoze Muhammed, gave the warning on Monday in Benin during the sensitisation of the state’s intending pilgrims on the rules guiding the Hajj.

He said, “As you are going to perform Hajj, you should know that you are going to a different clime where laws are strictly obeyed and as intending pilgrims, you must be ready to obey the local laws.

“For instance, you are not supposed to travel with anything that is contraband, especially illicit drugs. If you travel to Saudi Arabia with drugs and you are caught, the penalties is death no matter how highly placed you are.”

He said the sensitisation was part of the series of events lined up to educate the intending pilgrims on what to do to enjoy the benefit of the Hajj, adding that the programme was simultaneously holding in Benin and Auchi axis of the state.