Hajj: NAHCON airlifts 64,571 pilgrims back home

Twenty-four days into its inbound airlift operation, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has so far airlifted a total of 64,571 Nigerian pilgrims back to Nigeria as of 7:26 pm, Nigerian time on Thursday.

The pilgrims departed Saudi Arabia through the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to various arrival points in Nigeria in a total of 163 flights operated by the five approved airlines.

An Azman Air flight with 406 Kaduna State pilgrims departed Jeddah for Kaduna at 9:26 pm, Saudi time, bringing the total number of flights to 163. The inaugural flight operated by Saudi airline, Fly Nas, departed Jeddah for Nigeria on Tuesday, July 4.

Between 12 am and 7:26 pm on Thursday, six flights departed Jeddah for Nigeria, ferrying a total of 2,493 pilgrims with 13 officials.

With the 64,571 Nigerian pilgrims already conveyed home out of the 75,000 slots allotted to the state pilgrims welfare boards, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the armed forces, 10,429 pilgrims are left in Saudi Arabia waiting to be conveyed back to Nigeria.

Saudi Arabia allotted 95,000 slots to Nigeria for the 2023 Hajj, which was concluded on June 30. Of the number, private tour operators were allocated 20,000 slots to convey individuals wishing to follow them to perform the obligatory spiritual exercise.

The Hajj commission had set a target of completing the inbound airlift operation by August 3.

Meanwhile, NAHCON on Thursday refuted claims that some Nigerian pilgrims were stranded in Niger Republic due to the military coup in the country, declaring that no Nigerian pilgrims are stranded in the Franco-West African country.

There was a report that a Max Air aircraft 5N-ADM, conveying Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia, was stranded at the airport in Niamey, the Niger Republic capital.

The report added that the aircraft landed at the Niamey airport at 21:40 hours (22:40 hours, local time) with 360 Nigerian pilgrims and was piloted by Captain Maitama Kabo with 17 other crew members onboard.

Reacting to the report, NAHCON Deputy Director, Information and Publications, Alhaji Mousa Ubandawaki, assured that no Nigerian pilgrims are stranded in Nigeria’s West African neighbouring country.

Ubandawaki stated that the two Max Air flights that departed Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for Katsina and Kano had landed safely in their various destinations in Nigeria.

According to the NAHCON official, “No Nigerian Pilgrims in Niger Republic. The two flights that departed this (Thursday) morning have safely landed in Katsina and Kano. Both aircraft are on the ground in Kano.”

He informed that the Max Air aircraft stranded at Niamey airport was the third aircraft belonging to the Nigerian airline that was being used to airlift Niger Republic pilgrims.

“The aircraft stuck in Niamey is the third MaxAir aircraft 5N-ADM being used to airlift Niger Republic pilgrims,” Ubandawaki stated.

Flight information made available to Tribune Online by NAHCON Control and Command Centre revealed that Max Air flight NGL2014 departed Jeddah to Katsina at 04:45 hrs (2:45 am, Nigerian time) with 550 Katsina State pilgrims.

The centre also informed that another Max Air flight NGL5024 departed Jeddah to Kano on Thursday at 07:44 hrs (5:44 am, Nigerian time) with 405 Kano State pilgrims and five officials.

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