Hajj: Shehu appeals to FG to allow Borno airlift

The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai, has appealed to the Federal Government to allow the airlift of intending pilgrims to this year’s Hajj from Borno and Yobe through the Maiduguri International Airport.

Garbai made the appeal while speaking with NAN on Sunday in Maiduguri. He said that the appeal was based on recent developments that barred intending pilgrims to lesser Hajj (Umrah) from using the airport.

“We are appealing to the Federal Government to allow the use of the Maiduguri International Airport for the airlift of pilgrims to this year’s Hajj to Saudi Arabia.

“The appeal is based on the recent happenings in which Lesser Hajj Pilgrims were prevented from being airlift from the airport,” Garbai said.

He said diverting pilgrims from Borno to other states would create disharmony in the exercise.

“We have about 5,000 intending pilgrims from both Borno and Yobe waiting to be airlifted from the airport. Diverting these pilgrims to other states will no doubt caused enormous hardship on them,” Garbai said.

The traditional ruler said that he had contacted the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Saad, on their plight.

“I have contacted the Sultan of Sokoto on the issue severally. But we are yet to receive information on the issue from the Federal Government,” Garbai said.

He added: “We are still making an appeal to government to make pronouncement on the issue, because we are running out of time.

“Government should consider the hardship that the pilgrims will face in travelling to other states for airlift.”