The 2023 Hajj airlift from Nigeria has entered its seventh day with over 33 flights so far recorded.
For Plateau, Benue and Nasarawa States, the airlift of their pilgrims has been concluded while other states are recording steady progress as well.
In a statement signed by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Hajiya Fatima Usara, the commission acknowledged that “a technical hitch affected one of the Commission’s contracted air carriers conveying Jigawa State pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2023 Hajj.
“The hitch, which was caused by uncontrollable natural circumstances; turbulence as a result of heavy rainfall, forced the aircraft to land temporarily in the Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano State.”
According to Hajiya Usara the occurrence caused an inevitable delay.
The Chairman of the Commission, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan assured Nigerian pilgrims, particularly those affected by the unavoidable development, that the situation has been well managed and would not derail the movement of pilgrims for the Hajj.
Usara said that “NAHCON had already concluded arrangements for rescue operations for any delayed or cancelled flight that would hinder the smooth transportation of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.”
Meanwhile, close to 14,000 pilgrims have arrived safely in Madinah and the number of flights transporting pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will also increase in a couple of days.
Voice of Nigeria reports that the operation is going on as planned with backup 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.
Usara said the commission would keep the public updated with necessary information on the progress of the operation.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
