• Return flights begin June 22: chairman
• Four Nigerian states didn’t produce any pilgrims
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has in the early hours of Monday, June 10, successfully concluded the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for 2024 Hajj.
This puts to closure the outbound flight of the Nigerian pilgrims, which began on Wednesday, May 15.
The final flight, Muslim News gathered, took off in Abuja ferrying the 211 remaining pilgrims from Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Bauchi, Niger and the Federal Capital Territory, and the last batch of NAHCON officials.
An infographics released by the Public Affairs Department of the Commission shows that a total number of 50,865 pilgrims were airlifted in the outbound operations which lasted 27 days.
During this period, a cumulative of 121 flights were recorded and shared between three major airlines including Max Air, Air Peace and Flynas.
In the just concluded outbound operations, males were 31,726 in number, while females amounted to 19,139.
A state-by-state breakdown of pilgrims indicated that Kaduna State in Northwest Nigeria had the largest contingent with 4,785 pilgrims. Bayelsa State in the Southsouth region had the lowest contingent amounting to 13 pilgrims.
Meanwhile, four states did not produce a single pilgrim. They include: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra and Cross River.
Muslim News reports that the figure in the infographics did not include pilgrims of private tour operators, who are also working to complete their airlifts before the closure of the Jeddah and Madinah borders on Friday in preparation for this year’s hajj rites.
Following the sighting of Dhul-Hijjah moon by the Saudi Arabian authorities, Muslim News learnt that the Arafat will take place on Saturday, June 15, 2024 equivalent to 9th of Dhul Hijjah, 1445 AH, while the Eid-el-Adha will follow on Sunday, June 16, equivalent to 10th of Dhul Hijjah, to be celebrated by Muslims across the world.
Meanwhile, NAHCON Chairman/CEO, Mallam Jalal Arabi, has announced that the return journey for the 2024 Hajj would commence June 22.
The Chairman made the announcement at a press briefing marking the end of the outbound operations earlier today at NAHCON office in Abuja.
He said slots for the return journey have been secured by all airlines and the operations will be based on first-in-first-out policy.
In his address at the press briefing, Arabi underlined their feat of successfully completing airlift of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia 72 hours before announcement of the deadline set by the Kingdom’s authorities.
“In the same vein, the Commission also achieved 100% movement of pilgrims to Madinah pre-Arafat,” the Chairman noted.
He commended Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for the support they offered in ensuring a successful hajj operation, noting the Commission will reciprocate by doing its best to provide a smooth hajj experience for the nation’s pilgrims.
Arabi also appreciated the pilgrims for their resilience and determination despite the odds, restating NAHCON’s commitment to their welfare.
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