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84,191 Nigerian pilgrims return home
Newsdiaryonline Mon Dec 5,2011
Nigerian pilgrims
A total of 84,191 pilgrims have so far been airlifted from Saudi
Arabia to Nigeria, it was learnt yesterday.The latest figure of
530 pilgrims from Bauchi State departed Jeddah yesterday
afternoon on Kabo Air Flight ONK 1386.
The National Hajj Commission said it was doing all it could to
ensure that all the pilgrims are airlifted back to the country
in due couse, stating that it would not go beyond the December
14 deadline issued by the Saudi Authorities.
The disclosure was made by the Chairman, Aviation Committee on
Hajj and Presidential Adviser on Aviation, Shehu Iyal, in a
statement issued in Abuja.
Iyal stated that, between Sunday and yesterday, Max Air,
Meridian airline and Kabo airline have so far airlifted 562
Kaduna state pilgrims, 150 of Plateau including officials and
530 of Zamfara state bringing the total number of pilgrims so
far brought home to 84,191.
Iyal assured of government commitment to complete the exercise
by December 7 in accordance with the schedule, stressing that
Nigeria has the capacity to meet the Saudi deadline.
He further re-assured that no pilgrim would be left stranded in
the holy land, adding that the airlift is being done in
accordance with the schedule of arrival of all pilgrims from
Nigeria during the outbound airlift so that on average, pilgrims
from all states would spend same period in the kingdom of Saudi
Arabia.
His words: "Let me reiterate the Hajj Commission's determination
to meet the schedule it set for itself which is December 7.
Everything and all efforts are being geared towards airlifting
all the pilgrims. I am constantly in touch with the Nigerian
officials in Saudi Arabia and they have assured us that the
operations have been going according to plans. No pilgrim would
be stranded Insha Allah as we get hourly reports on how the
operations have been going."
Th
This is the document referred to in the Witness
Statement on Oath of Clifford O. Kokogho as
“Exhibit
COK.2”
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