Some pilgrims who embarked on this year’s pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and had returned home became disappointed when thieves invaded the Hajji Village in Tamale, Northern Regional capital, and made away with some luggage belonging to them.
DAILY GUIDE gathered that there was a brief ceremony organized to welcome the first batch of pilgrims at the Village at about 7:30 pm Thursday while other pilgrims from some parts of the region were preparing to leave the place for their various destinations.
The thieves reportedly presented themselves as persons who could help carry the heavy luggage of pilgrims but ended up running away with some of them.
A number of the suspected thieves were said to have been given a hot chase by security personnel at the Village but they managed to escape with most of the pilgrims’ personal effects.
A victim, Hajia Mariam, who spoke to DAILY GUIDE, said she was very happy to see her family members after the trip, but was shocked when her luggage was stolen right in front of her.
According to her, most of the things that were stolen belonged to a friend who gave her some money to buy jewelries and some other items for her to be stocked in her shop.
Law enforcement officers at the Hajj Village have since beefed up security to ensure that the next batch of pilgrims is secure when they arrive.
They advised pilgrims to adhere to laid-down rules so that they could go through the process smoothly and protect their properties.
The pilgrims were welcomed by a high-powered delegation comprising the Northern Regional Minister, Abubakar Abdulai; Agric Minister, Alhaji Muniru Limuna and the Northern Regional Chief Imam.
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