The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON has given update on the 2022 Nigerian pilgrims airlift to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hajj pilgrimage.
The update was contained in a statement signed by NAHCON’s Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Hajiya Fatima Usara in Abuja the nation’s capital.
According to the statement, “after 73 flights into Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from Nigeria for the 2022 Hajj, a total of 29,128 pilgrims are safely in Makkah. Similarly, 920 officials have been transported within the airlift period. Most pilgrims have been moved to Makkah in preparation for Arafat that will take place on Friday, 10th July.
“From the Private Tour Operators, 8620 visas have been processed. About seven thousand of the intending pilgrims are currently in Saudi Arabia. In addition, NAHCON and leadership of Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators in Nigeria (AHOUN) assure that all Licensed Tour Operator’s pilgrims will be flown out of Nigeria before 12 midnight of the deadline the 6th July.
“The rescue operation will be conducted in Abuja, Lagos, and Kano. FlyNas will provide three aircraft while Kam Air, another Saudi Airline, has been contacted on standby in case there is need to deploy another aircraft,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, All Tour Operators are to call the following numbers to coordinate movement of the pilgrims.
- Nasiru Chamo, 08069776880- Kano zone
- Alhaji Haruna Ismael, 0806000190 – Kano Zone
- Alh Mansur, 08035043330- Abuja zone
- Alh Kazeem, 0802 304 8180- Lagos zone
- Alhaji Abdulhakeem Olanigan, 07062220505- Lagos
NAHCON management and the AHOUN leadership urged the affected pilgrims to assemble at the agreed location for screening and consequent conveyance to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage.
Hajiya Usara reiterated the Commission’s commitment in airlifting all intending pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hajj.
“Similarly, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria is determined all intending pilgrims that NAHCON will not leave any pilgrim behind God willing. The Chairman will remain behind to ensure that no one is disenfranchised,” she said.
Confidence Okwuchi
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