The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON has so far succeeded in airlifting over 29,000 pilgrims out of the over 43,008 registered pilgrims to be airlifted to Saudi Arabia.
This was achieved after about 73 flights into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from Nigeria for the 2022 Hajj, Similarly, 920 officials have been transported within the airlift period. Most pilgrims have been moved to Makkah in preparation for Arafat which will take place on Friday, 10th July.
From the Private Tour Operators, 8620 visas have been processed. About seven thousand of the intending pilgrims are currently in Saudi Arabia. In addition, NAHCON and the leadership of the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators in Nigeria (AHOUN) assure that all the pilgrims will be flown out of Nigeria before midnight.
The rescue operation will be conducted in Abuja, Lagos, and Kano. FlyNas will provide three aircraft while Kam Air, another Saudi Airline, has been contacted on standby in case there is a need to deploy another aircraft. Meanwhile, All Tour Operators are to call the following numbers to coordinate the movement of the pilgrims. They are:
NAHCON also give out numbers of the official concern from all the centres where the rescue airlift will be taking place.
Below are the contacts and names of the persons:
Nasiru Chamo, 08069776880- Kano zone
Alhaji Haruna Ismael, 0806000190 – Kano Zone
Al Mansur, 08035043330- Abuja zoneAlh Kazeem, 0802 304 8180- Lagos zone
Alhaji Abdulhakeem Olanigan, 07062220505- Lagos
NAHCON management and the AHOUN leadership urge the affected pilgrims to assemble at the agreed location for screening and consequent conveyance to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage.
Similarly, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria is determined to all intending pilgrims that NAHCON will not leave any pilgrim behind God willing. The Chairman will remain behind to ensure that no one is disenfranchised.
Fatima Sanda Usara,
AD, Public Affairs,
NAHON
