With less than 24 hours to go until the 2022 pilgrimage closes, the Nigerian National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) yesterday announced the deployment of additional airlines to evacuate pilgrims.
Consequently, the commission designated three places, including Kano, Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory, for the convergence of more than 13,000 worshipers waiting to be rescued, having been stranded for days in various camps.
The intervention comes as the Kano State Pilgrim Board regrets the cancellation of 66 visas. Saudi Arabia had granted Nigeria a diplomatic waiver and a 48-hour extension of landing permits to Afarat for airlines evacuating pilgrims from July 4-6.
A statement yesterday from the NAHCON spokeswoman, Fátima Usara, indicated that 29,128 of the total 43,003 pilgrims had been transported by air through 73 flights.
He noted that a Saudi airline, FlyNas, would provide three planes with another, Kam Air, put on standby to strengthen the evacuation.
The commission said 8,620 visas had been processed, with 7,000 lucky applicants already leaving Nigeria for Saudi Arabia.
Briefing reporters on the Kano contingents, the board’s executive secretary, Mohammad Abba Danbatta, lamented the cancellation of 66 visas and recalled Azman Air’s rejection due to alleged capacity shortfalls.
On what will be the fate of the stranded pilgrims in Kano, Danbatta expressed his hope that the rescue operation will evacuate the remains.
He added that some 900 pilgrims will be transported through Azman Air, while the rest will be transported through FlyNas Airline.