The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has confirmed that a total of 1,622 Nigerian pilgrims have so far been airlifted to Madinah, Saudi Arabia, for the 2025 Hajj exercise.
According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria, the inaugural flight of the Hajj operation was officially flagged off by Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Friday in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
The Principal Information Officer of NAHCON, Shafii Mohammed, disclosed that four flights were successfully operated from Bauchi, Kebbi, Imo, and Lagos states by three approved Nigerian air carriers, MaxAir, Flynas, and Air Peace.
“On Friday, MaxAir flight VM3001 departed Bauchi to Madinah at 11:53hrs with 539 Bauchi pilgrims and six Officials.
“Flynas flight XY8066 departed Kebbi to Madinah at 18:29hrs with 420 Kebbi pilgrims and one official,” he said.
He further explained that the inaugural movement commenced with Air Peace’s flight APK 7900, which left Owerri for Madinah at 19:36hrs, carrying 240 pilgrims and four officials.
“Flynas flight XY8016 also departed Lagos to Madinah at 19:39hrs with 423 Osun pilgrims,” Mohammed added.
