…390 Lagos pilgrims airlifted so far
NAHCON has confirmed that the 2023 hajj airlift from Nigeria has entered its seventh day with over 33 flights so far recorded conveying close to 14,000 pilgrims.
It added that airlift of pilgrims for Plateau, Benue and Nasarawa States have been concluded, while other states are recording steady progress.
“It would be recalled that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), had increased the number of its air carriers to five this year,” according to a statement by the Assistant Director, Public Affairs, NAHCON, Fatima Sanda Usara on Thursday.
“So far, close to 14,000 pilgrims are safely in Madinah and the number of flights transporting pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will also increase in a couple of days. The operation is going on as planned with back-up measures put in place in case of any unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, intending pilgrims are enjoined to remain in a state of readiness at all times for imminent departure to Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, no fewer than 390 Lagos State intending pilgrims for the 2023 Hajj exercise were flown to Madinah through Flynas airline, Flight XY5678 at exactly 12:03am. The Pilgrims landed in Madinah around 7.46am Nigerian time on Thursday.
The flight was the first for the Lagos pilgrims since the beginning of airlift last week.
The immediate past Hon. Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegush reiterated that the pilgrims have been given adequate enlightenment on all they needed to know about the exercise during the weekend lectures, adding that they are expected to obey all the laws of Saudi Arabia and be good Ambassadors of the State and Nigeria at large.
On his part, the Board Chairman, Imam (Engr.) Shakiru Ayinde Gafar appealed to the pilgrims that are yet to be airlifted to exercise patience and show understanding with the Board, saying that every necessary machinery have been put in place for a seamless operation.
He however urged them to realize that their airlifting is dependent on early issuance of visa by the Saudi Arabian Embassy. He gave assurances that every one of them would be airlifted to the Kingdom in order to fulfill their spiritual obligation.
