Dutse — One hundred and seventy four old timer pilgrims from Jigawa State my miss this year's hajj if the Saudi Arabian authorities finally concludes arrangement to ban old timers from going to hajj, the Executive Secretary, Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Usman Sulaiman has said.

Speaking to Daily Trust yesterday, the executive secretary explained that so far, the board had screened this year's intending pilgrims and found a total of 174 to be old timers, saying if the Saudi government bans old timers, they would be refunded their money.

"We will settle them within a week and replace them with new timers. We have enough funds to handle the situation. While we are waiting for Saudi government's final decision, Nigeria has been appealing to them to reverse the decision in the interest of Justice," he said.