Saudi threat to Nigerian pilgrims

Mecca receives 2.5m pilgrims each year

Saudi Arabia has warned Nigeria that its national quota for the annual Muslim pilgrimage could be drastically cut, a Nigerian minister says.

The Saudi minister in charge of the Hajj said some 27,000 Nigerians have remained in the country illegally after completing the pilgrimage.

In a letter to the Nigerian foreign ministry, he threatened to subtract this number from this year's quota.

Last year, 65,000 Nigerians were among the 2.5m pilgrims in Mecca.

Muslims are supposed to perform the Hajj at least once in their lifetime.