4th November, 2014
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) said on Tuesday that it has completed the transportation of all the 76,000 Nigerian pilgrims back to the country from Saudi Arabia.
A statement issued by Malam Uba Mana, the spokesman of the commission, said the last batch of 412 pilgrims from Kwara State and 80 officials returned home aboard a Kabo Air flight on Monday, Nov. 3.
“With the flight, the 2014 Hajj operation has been successfully completed.
“The return journey began on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014 with the expectation that the airlift exercise would be completed in 27 days. Alhamdulillahi, it was done in 26 days with 138 flights.
NAN recalls that during the outbound flight to Saudi Arabia between Sept. 6 and 28, the 76, 000 pilgrims were transported in 145 flights through airports spread across Nigeria.
NAHCON said the return journey was hitch-free because of its strict adherence to the policy of “first to arrive Saudi Arabia, first to return to Nigeria.”
It stated that a comprehensive report on the Hajj operation “is being prepared for submission later to the government.”
The commission appreciated the support of the Federal Government, National Assembly, state pilgrims welfare agencies, private tour operators and the pilgrims which made the operation “a resounding success.”
NAN reports that over 25 Nigerians died during the 2014 Hajj exercise.