As of Sunday, 5,518 Nigerian pilgrims had already been transported to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the Hajj from various locations throughout the nation.
As of 5:20 p.m. on Sunday, data received from the Control Center of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) shows that 3,439 men and 2,079 women from a total of 13 planes make up the pilgrims who have already left Nigeria.
So far, seven states have participated in the airlift operations, with Nasarawa State having the largest continent (1,385) and Sokoto State having the second-largest continent (1,274).
While 429 pilgrims from Osun State and 239 from Benue State have traveled by air, 847 pilgrims from Plateau State and 534 pilgrims from Kwara State are already at the Holy Land. 810 pilgrims from Zamfara State had already been transported.
549 of the 5,518 Nigerian pilgrims currently present in Saudi Arabia, according to NAHCON, arrived in Jeddah, while the remaining 4,969 proceeded straight to Madinah. Those who arrived in Jeddah were later transferred to Madinah.
Only Azman Air, one of the five airlines authorized for this year’s operation, has yet to fly any pilgrims out of the country, according to the Hajj body.
Max Air has transported 1,558 pilgrims by air, while Flynas, Aero Contractor, and Air Peace of Saudi Arabia have transported 2,513, 913, and 534 pilgrims, respectively.
On Thursday, May 25, the first flight carrying 470 pilgrims from Nasarawa State departed Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport for Madinah, officially kicking off this year’s Hajj activities.
