The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has transported 1,622 Nigerian pilgrims to Madinah for the 2025 Hajj operation.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Vice-President Kashim Shettima declared the inaugural flight open in Owerri on Friday.
A data released by Shafii Mohammed, Principal Information Officer, NAHCON, said that three designated Nigerian Hajj air carriers made four flights from Bauchi, Kebbi, Imo and Lagos states. The air carriers were Max Air, Flynas and Air Peace.
“On Friday, Max Air flight VM3001 departed Bauchi to Madinah at 11:53hrs with 539 Bauchi pilgrims and six Officials.
“Flynas flight XY8066 departed Kebbi to Madinah at 18:29hrs with 420 Kebbi pilgrims and one official,” he said.
Muhammed said that the inaugural flight began with Air Peace flight APK 7900 which departed Owerri to Madinah at 19:36hrs with 240 pilgrims and four officials.
He said that Flynas flight XY8016 also departed Lagos to Madinah at 19:39hrs with 423 Osun pilgrims.
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Meanwhile, Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi has tasked intending pilgrims from the state to respect both Saudi Arabian and Nigerian laws during their spiritual exercise at the Holy Land.
He stated this at the inaugural flight of intending pilgrims from Kebbi at Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi on Friday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the first flight took-off for Saudi Arabia from the airport with 420 intending pilgrims at about 6:00p.m.
The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Abubakar-Tafida, charged them to be good ambassadors of the state and the nation at large.
He lauded the efforts of the Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Agency for putting in place perfect arrangement for a smooth take-off.
Also speaking, the 2025 Amirul Hajj in the state and Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammad-Mera, said a total of 420 intending pilgrims comprising both males and females were transported.
While praying for a safe trip to the holy land, the Amirul Hajj enjoined the pilgrims to use the opportunity to pray for the leaders, the state, and the country.
He assured that Kebbi was one hundred per cent ready for 2025 Hajj exercise.
The Executive Chairman, Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Faruk Yaro-Enabo, urged the intending pilgrims maintain the tradition of discipline, decorum, and respect for constituted authority.
He advised the pilgrims boarding subsequent flights to follow the instructions of Kebbi PWA by reporting at the Hajj camp early to avoid delays.
“We are appealing to intending pilgrims boarding second plane to be ready and report to Hajj camp for screening while those boarding the third plane should also get ready and report to Hajj camp very early,” he said.
NAN
