The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced remarkable progress in the ongoing airlift of Nigerian pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
A statement by NAHCON’s Assistant Director, Information and Publication, Fatima Sanda Usara, said that within four days of commencement, the commission has successfully airlifted 11,366 of the total intending pilgrims, thus marking a notable improvement from the 9% airlifted within the same period in 2024.
“Air Peace has concluded the airlift of Kogi State pilgrims, transporting 559 out of the 564 scheduled. Similarly, Max Air has completed the airlift of Oyo State pilgrims with a total of 1,083 pilgrims successfully conveyed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“Imo and Abia States have also completed their operations, with the exception of a few “no-show” pilgrims during the inaugural flight. These will be accommodated in the mop-up flights later in the exercise.
“For Nasarawa State with 944 pilgrims, UMZA Air has concluded its operations,” she stated.
Kano begins airlifts today
The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board says the airlift of its 3,155 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia will start today.
The first flight is scheduled to take off at 10 am, with 400 pilgrims from 11 local government areas.
The board has confirmed that over 300 visas have been accessed, and the due process is ongoing to ensure a successful airlift.
NSCIA warns against drug trafficking in Edo
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Edo State chapter, has warned intending pilgrims from the state against dealing in drugs and other vices during the Hajj exercise.
The state chairman of NSCIA, Alhaji Abdulaziz Igbinidu, gave the advice in a message to the intending pilgrims scheduled to depart for the Hajj on May 14, 2025.
Alhaji Abdulaziz said there are dos and don’ts in Saudi Arabia, noting that “once a pilgrim indulges in those things that are forbidden during pilgrimage, such a pilgrim faces the full wrath of the law.
