Jonathan orders probe of female pilgrims deportation

President Goodluck Jonathan
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President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered a a probe into the circumstances surrounding the deportation of  some Nigerian female pilgrims from Saudi Arabia.

Jonathan said in his Eid-el-kabir message on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the essence of the probe was to ensure that Hajj airlift operations were never disrupted by such problems in future and Nigerian pilgrims not subjected to such traumatic experience again.

The President congratulated Nigerians who successfully undertook the Hajj, despite the controversy over the issue of male companions for some of the female pilgrims.

Jonathan said, “Although the problem was eventually resolved with the positive intervention of the government, I have ordered a thorough post mortem of the incident with a view to ensuring that our Hajj airlift operations are never disrupted by such problems in future and that no Nigerian pilgrim is ever subjected to such traumatic experience in the Holy Land again.”

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to restoring calm to troubled parts of the country.

He said he would continue to implement measures that would ensure peace in all parts of the country.

The President said the nation would make faster progress towards the attainment of developmental objectives if all Nigerians resolved to do more to live up to the highest ideals of their religious beliefs.

He listed the ideals to include the fear of God, willingness to make personal sacrifices for the collective good, selfless service, respect for laws and constituted authorities.