The first batch of Kogi state pilgrims for the 2023 Hajj to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will leave Makkah by road to Jeddah on Friday 14th July, 2023 at 10.00 a.m, followed by the second batch on Saturday, 15th July, 2023 by 8.00 a.m.
This is in view of the accelerated airlift of Nigerian Pilgrims from Saudi Arabia in an agreement reached with the Saudi Authorities.
The state’s Amiru Hajj for the holy exercise,Alhaji Zakariya Aliyu Abubakar,disclosed this in a statement he signed in Makkah and sent a copy to The Reporters on Wednesday.
According to him, the State contingent has been given two flight schedules of 360 pilgrims each, adding that the pilgrims are to perform their departure, known as Tawaf Wada’ah, to conclude their Hajj rites before leaving for home.
He said:”This will be on the nights of Thursday and Friday respectively for those leaving on Friday and Saturday.
“The Chairman of the State Hajj Commission, Shaikh Luqmam Imam Abdullahi, has strongly admonished the pilgrims to strictly comply with the NAHCON’S luggage policy as stipulated by the Airliners to avoid all forms of unnecessary delay resulting from non-compliance on the part of the pilgrims.
“He wished them acceptable Hajj.”
Meanwhile, 13,650 Nigerian pilgrims have so far been airlifted back home in 35 flights as at July 12,2023.
A statement from the National Hajj Common of Nigeria (NAHCON),social media platform showed that AIR PEACE flight P4-7917 departed Jeddah to LAGOS @ 09:04hrs with 270 Pilgrims, comprising of 269 from Kwara State and one pilgrim from the FCT.
