The executive chairman of Kaduna state Pilgrims Welfare Agency PWA), Malam Salihu .S. Abubakar, has said all its 4,785 pilgrims have been airlifted to Saudi Arabia in 10 flights for the 2024 hajj exercise.
Addressing journalists in Maddina Thursday, Malam Salihu said Kaduna state has the largest number of pilgrims in Nigeria, adding that nine batches have already completed their hajj rites in Maddina and they have proceeded to Makkah.
He said the last batch which comprises Amirul Hajj, the Emir of Lere, Suleiman Lere, arrived at Maddina with other hajj officials Tuesday.
Malam Salihu said the last batch will leave for Makkah Saturday, leaving behind a handful of officials to check hospitals and other places and ensure that no pilgrim has been left behind in Maddina.
He said: “Each batch of pilgrims has stayed for four days in Madina as arranged by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The first nine batches have completed their stay and moved to Makkah. It is only those that came with the last flight of 388 pilgrims, which included the Amirul Hajj, that are in Madina. In shaa Allah (God willing), they will be conveyed to Makkah Saturday.
“So far, we don’t have any major problem. But we regret to say that we lost one pilgrim in Makkah last Friday. We pray that Aljannah Firdausi be her abode.’’
He said some pilgrims were sick in both Makkah and Maddina but most of them have been treated and discharged.
He added that the responsibility of feeding and accommodating pilgrims at Maddina rest on NAHCON and commended the hajj regulatory body for the services rendered.
Malam Salihu said Kaduna state pilgrims in Makkah have so far not complained about the service providers that the agency has engaged for catering and accommodation.
