3,700 Niger Pilgrims to Fly Through Abuja Airport as Preparations Intensify in Kaduna, Bauchi

3,700 Niger Pilgrims to Fly Through Abuja Airport as Preparations Intensify in Kaduna, Bauchi

Niger State intending pilgrims for this year’s Hajj will once again be transported to Saudi Arabia through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja due to ongoing repair of the runway at the Minna airport.

Speaking to Hajj Reporters on Wednesday, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Muhammad Awwal Aliyu, said all the intending pilgrims from Niger State will be transported to Abuja to avoid any form of delay or hitches.

“The repair and renovation work are still ongoing at the airport, which may delay operations for the Hajj from the airport this year,” he said.

Alh Awwal also confirmed that the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) had assigned Flynas Airline to airlift Niger state’s 3,700 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj.

During the 2022 Hajj, over 2, 265 pilgrims from Niger State were transported through Abuja Airport due to security challenges.

Meanwhile, the Bauchi State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board has commenced the vaccination of the intending pilgrims as part of preparations for a hitch-free exercise.

The vaccination exercise which commenced on Wednesday will continue at Teaching and Specialist Hospitals as well as all general hospitals across the state.

The Board on Wednesday also flagged off the distribution of bags and uniforms to intending pligrims.

Similarly, the distribution of bags and uniforms to intending pligrims has also commenced in Kaduna state as the first batch of pilgrims are set to depart the state for Saudi Arabia on Tuesday May 30 via Azman Airline.