By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says it will conduct rescue airlift operation of stranded Nigerian intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia from Abuja, Lagos, and Kano airports.

Fatima Sanda Usara, the AD, Public Affairs of NAHCON, said on Tuesday in an update on flight operations on 24 hour into the two days extension by the Saudi authorities, said

FlyNas will provide three aircraft while Kam Air, another Saudi Airline, has been contacted on standby in case there is need to deploy another aircraft.

She said after 73 flights into Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from Nigeria for the 2022 Hajj, a total of 29,128 pilgrims are safely in Makkah.

She also confirmed that 920 officials have been transported within the airlift period and that most pilgrims have been moved to Makkah in preparation for Arafat that 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 leadership of Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators in Nigeria (AHOUN) assure that all LTO pilgrims will be flown out of Nigeria before 12 midnight.

“The rescue operation will be conducted in Abuja, Lagos, and Kano,” she disclosed, adding that all Tour Operators are to call the following numbers to coordinate movement of the pilgrims:

Nasiru Chamo, 08069776880 – Kano zone Alhaji Haruna Ismael, 0806000190 – Kano Zone Alh Mansur, 08035043330 – Abuja zone Alh 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.

“The Chairman will remain behind to ensure that no one is disenfranchised.

“Similarly, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria is determined all intending pilgrims that NAHCON will not leave any pilgrim behind God willing,” she added.

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