The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says its return airlifting operation has entered day nine having conveyed a total of 9,658 pilgrims in 21 flights conducted by MaxAir and Flynas airlines.
Fatimah Sanda Usara, Head of Public Affairs Unit of the Commission, made this known in a statement she sent to The DEFENDER at the Holy City of Makkah on Monday.
She said both airlines have do far airlifted pilgrims from King Abdulazeez International Airport Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa and what she described as a special flight to Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, in Nigeria.
The NAHCON spokesperson said: “Air of Nigerian pilgrims back into the country is in its ninth day having begun as scheduled, on the 17th of August, 2019. The two participating airlines, namely Max Air and FlyNas have operated a total of 21 flights that conveyed 9, 658 pilgrims back to Nigeria.
“Distribution of the flights so far shows Max Air has conveyed 5,428 pilgrims in 11 trips while FlyNas on its part transported 4,306 pilgrims in 10 flights.
“Max Air has conducted flights to Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa, plus a special flight to Federal Capital Territory. The special flight conveyed few pilgrims and officials that formed the advance team of officials into the kingdom from the National Medical, Media and Ulama teams as well as some NAHCON staff on essential duties.
“Meanwhile, FlyNas has conducted flights to Lagos, Kebbi, Zamfara Sokoto and Osun. It also conveyed some pilgrims from Oyo, Ogun, Cross River, Delta, Abia and Edo states back to Nigeria,” she said.
In the meantime, she said: “On a sad note, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria mourns the passing away of one of its National Medical Team members, Nurse Aminu Rufa’i from Zaria Local Government of Kaduna State who died in his sleep.
“Nurse Aminu was apparently healthy at the time he went to bed. His remains have since been buried according to Islamic rites.
“The Chairman, on behalf of the management and staff of NAHCON, prays Almighty Allah gives his family the fortitude to bear the loss,” she said.
