The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says 32, 836 Nigerian pilgrims have so far been airlifted back home.
“This represents 64% of pilgrims that have been airlifted back to the country after 16 days, compared to arrival into the Kingdom in the first phase at 60.2% when 30,599 pilgrims were transported by this time. This shows positive progress with 77 flights compared to 73 flights recorded during the first leg”, Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director, Public Affairs, noted in a press statement on Monday.
The full statement reads:
Return Trip Enters 17th Day
Hajj 2024 return leg has entered its 17th day, today 8th July. By the end of 16th day, 32, 836 pilgrims had returned to Nigeria through various states.
This represents 64% of pilgrims that have been airlifted back to the country after 16 days, compared to arrival into the Kingdom in the first phase at 60.2% when 30,599 pilgrims were transported by this time. This shows positive progress with 77 flights compared to 73 flights recorded during the first leg.
States that have concluded airlift include Bauchi, Kaduna, Osun, Lagos, Borno, Ogun, Benue, Armed Forces, Kogi, Nasarawa, Edo, Yobe, Plateau, and Oyo.
Slated to conclude airlift by tomorrow are Kano, and Ondo while FCT, Abuja will convey its last set of pilgrims today 8th July. Ekiti will hopefully conclude its airlift by 10th of this month.
States that commenced airlift today being among the last batch to arrive the Kingdom are Adamawa, Gombe, while Jigawa, Katsina, and Taraba are about to start movement back to their destinations within the week.
Fatima Sanda Usara,
Assistant Director/Public Affairs,
For,
Chairman/CEO,
NAHCON
