A total of 1,273 Lagos pilgrims have been airlifted to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this year’s hajj exercise.
This was made known by the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Amir-ul Hajj, Dr. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef during a meeting with the members of the Lagos contingent.
Dr. AbdulLateef expressed determination and the commitment of the state government to ensure a hitch-free hajj operation through the provision of necessary support and logistics for the pilgrims.
“So far, the Akinwunmi Ambode-led government is doing all within its legal framework to guard against any impediment that may cause unnecessary delay or inconvenience to Lagos pilgrims.”
Dr. AbdulLateef further stated that the airlift is expected to resume today, 10th August 2018 as scheduled by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON. Meanwhile, over 17,000 Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia are busy engaging in different hajj rites.
While some are busy on ziyara, (visitation to historical sites) in Madinah, others are in Makkah completing their lesser hajj rites ahead of the main hajj rites begining on August 20. No fewer than 55,000 Nigerian pilgrims will participate in the 2018 hajj rites in the holy land.