2017 hajj: NAHCON transports 8,185 pilgrims in five days – Official

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria says it has transported no fewer than 8,185 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia from six states of the federation in five days.
The Commission’s Head of 2017 Hajj Media Team, Malam Adamu Abdullahi, said this in a statement issued from Madina, Saudia Arabia on Thursday.
Abdullahi said the pilgrims were transported in 20 flight operations, which began on July 30.
The flights were conducted by three out of the four approved air carriers, namely: Flynas Air, Max Air and Med-View Airline.
Abdullahi said: “As transportation of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2017 hajj progresses, 8,185 pilgrims have so far arrived in the Kingdom.
“The pilgrims are lodged in four and five-star hotels in Markazziyya area of Madina’s Central Business District, few metres from the prophet’s mosque.
“This is because since most of them are first-timers, officials have been assigned to show them access to their rooms.”
Abdullahi noted that NAHCON and state officials had been engaged in educating and demonstrating to pilgrims how to operate facilities like elevators and washrooms, to ensure hitch-free exercise.
Abdullahi said the commission had also put on standby a functional medical centre and ambulance services to take care of any medical emergencies.
The Executive Chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed, had during inauguration of the first flight of the 2017 hajj assured that adequate measures had been put in place to ensure that pilgrims enjoyed best services.
According to Mohammed, 25 per cent of NAHCON officials will sacrifice their hajj rites, to serve the pilgrims better.
No fewer than 95,000 pilgrims registered through State Pilgrims Welfare Boards and agencies, as well as private tour operators, are expected to perform the 2017 hajj in Saudi Arabia.