Over 24,000 Nigerian pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia for 2023 Hajj
The number of Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia for the 2023 Hajj rituals has risen to 24,324, with the safe arrival of 752 pilgrims from Sokoto and Zamfara States in Medina yesterday.
The latest arrivals, consisting of 491 males and 261 females, flew on Saudi Arabian airlines, Flynas Flight XY5624 and Flynas Flight XY5712, departing from Sultan Abubakar III International Airport in Sokoto at 10:34hrs and 14:58hrs respectively, and landing at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.
The transportation of pilgrims from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia for the 2023 Hajj began on May 25, when former President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the immediate past Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada, flagged off the inaugural flight at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
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The flight carried 472 pilgrims from Nasarawa State and 27 officials from NAHCON (National Hajj Commission of Nigeria).
According to flight updates recorded by NAHCON’s command and control units, out of the 24,324 Nigerian pilgrims in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj, 4,268 have already moved to Makkah, while 20,056 are still in Madinah, praying at the Project Mosque and visiting various Islamic landmarks and historical sites.
Further analysis of the flight updates at NAHCON’s command and control unit reveals that there are currently 14,491 male Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, while their female counterparts number 9,692.
The 24,324 Nigerian pilgrims were airlifted to the Holy Land in 58 flight operations, and more pilgrims are in line for onward journeys to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Hajj Commission has directed intending pilgrims from the state to report immediately to the FCT Hajj camp, located at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, in preparation for their airlift to the Holy Land.
A statement signed by Zakari Ette Usman on behalf of the commission warns all intending pilgrims from the state against carrying illegal substances such as kola nuts, hard drugs, sharp objects, ropes, and liquid substances.
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