Sokoto pilgrims may begin return flights Friday, as NAHCON airlifts 428 in Lagos 2nd batch from Saudi Arabia Sunday night
*Another 426 Lagos pilgrims billed for 3rd batch Monday
Feelers from the centre of operations in the concluding Hajj 2019 in Saudi Arabia have it that Nigeria’s Sokoto State pilgrims may commence their return flights coming Friday.
This is as the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) made another successful delivery on airlifting of returning Nigerian pilgrims Sunday night with fresh 428 among those of Lagos who arrived safely at Murtala Muhammed International Airport Ikeja, at about 1.30am Saudi Arabia time, 11.30pm Nigerian time.
The new arrivals made the second batch of Lagos State pilgrims who arrived Lagos from King Abdulazeez International Airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Having covened the second batch of 428, it brings to total of 860 pilgrims that Flynas Airline has taken to Nigeria on among Lagos pilgrims.
The DEFENDER had reported earlier on Sunday that second batches of Lagos and Katsina’s pilgrims would be airlifted Sunday and Monday while not certain about when Sokoto and others return flights would commence.
No fewer than 432 pilgrims were on board the first batch which arrived on Saturday.
The pilgrims on board the second flight were drawn from Agege, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Alimosho, Amuwo Odofin, Apapa, Ifako Ijaiye, Badagry, Epe, Eti – Osa and some state officials.
According to the Board Secretary, Mr. Rahman Ishola, another 426 pilgrims which form the third batch would be airlifted from the King Abdul Azeez International Airport, Jeddah on Monday at 10:00 am for onward journey back to Nigeria.
All the pilgrims expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah, the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and the FlyNas Airline for the successful hajj operations this year.
They expressed the hope that the standard achieved so far would be by maintained.
Meanwhile, all the pilgrims in both the first and second batches have been collecting their luggage and zam-zam water in line with the arraignment put in place by NAHCON and the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.
Yet to be confirmed information told The DEFENDER in Makkah Sunday night that Sokoto pilgrims will have their first flight on Friday.
