NAHCON airlifts last batch of 50,661 pilgrims ahead of deadline

• Announces June 22 date for return trip
• 30 Nigerians join King Salman’s ‘special guests’ to perform Hajj

The final flight for the 2024 Hajj outbound operations of pilgrims departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, early yesterday for the Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, which landed some hours before the closure of all entry borders.

In a statement by Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Fatima Sanda Usara, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), said with the departure of FlyNas XY8078 from Minna, Niger State to Medina with 430 persons, the total pilgrims airlifted for this year’s hajj was put at 50,661 on 120 flight operations.

The commission has fixed June 22 for the commencement of the return of pilgrims back from Saudi Arabia. According to NAHCON, the return trip, which comes six days after Arafah, is on a first-in, first-out basis.

Meanwhile, 30 Nigerians have been selected by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia to participate in the 2024 Hajj under the full sponsorship of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the Crown Prince, Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The program tagged ‘Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’, is an initiative designed by the Kingdom to provide care and services to the special pilgrims selected from around the world.

At a farewell ceremony organised by the Saudi Embassy, in Abuja, the beneficiaries including Islamic scholars and media executives expressed appreciation for the special gesture.

Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria, Faisal Ibrahim Al-Ghamidy, highlighted the dedication of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to serving and providing comfort to the pilgrims.

The programme of guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques is an initiative that yearly sponsors and hosts thousands of pilgrims from various countries, enabling them to perform the Hajj with support provided by the Kingdom to promote Islamic solidarity and foster a sense of global Muslim community.