Kaduna — Overseer of the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Yahuza Makarfi, yesterday said only intending female pilgrims who have male guides (Muhram) will be registered for this year's hajj exercise.

This is coming days after the state governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero directed the board to do same.

Speaking when he received the 2012 hajj report from a group in Sabon Gari Local Government Area, he said the board will ensure that no female pilgrim is deported due to lack of Muharam as experienced last year.

"We are preparing grounds to handle the issue of Muharams in Kaduna State. We hope that during the next Hajj operation, no intending female pilgrim will be deported over lack of Muhram. We will do our best to ensure that every female intending pilgrim travels with her Muharam," he said.

Chairperson of the group, Hajiya Hajara Muhammad Barau, in her address attributed the success recorded by the state in the last Hajj exercise to collective efforts by all stakeholders.