Women held for travelling alone

ALMOST 400 Muslim women pilgrims on their way to Mecca have been temporarily held at a Saudi Arabian airport for travelling without male relatives.

Nigeria’s National Hajj Commission said Saudi authorities held the 398 Nigerian women between Thursday and yesterday at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah. They were able to proceed with their pilgrimage after diplomatic intervention.

A spokesman said an agreement between the countries exempted Nigerian women from requiring a male relative to escort them during the Hajj pilgrimage.