The Nigerian government has transported thousands of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia since the beginning of this year’s Hajj exercise.
National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) said no fewer than 37,989 Nigerian pilgrims have been airlifted to Saudi Arabia since commencement of this year’s Hajj exercise.
NAHCON spokesman, Alhaji Uba Mana told Daily Trust yesterday in an interview that the last flight for this year’s hajj exercise is expected to leave the shore of the country on October 8.
“Out of 66,000 regular pilgrims going for Hajj this year from Nigeria, 37,989 have been airlifted so far remaining 28,011 apart from the 10,000 going through tour operators which have also started airlifting,” Mana said.
Many states, according to him, have airlifted some of their pilgrims while some have not airlifted any at all.
States like Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau, Taraba, Benue and South South States are some that have not airlift any of their pilgrims while Lagos state have finish airlifting and Adamawa was expected to start yesterday.
On the challenges encounter so far in the airlifting, Mana said the commission is happy with the performance of the carriers and the states pilgrims’ boards and commended them for the success recorded this year.
