The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has airlifted over 14,000 intending pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for 2023 hajj a week after the airlift commenced.
The analysis of data from NAHCON’S Command and Control centre yesterday indicated that 14,188 Nigerian pilgrims are in Saudi Arabia, out of which 8560 are males and 5628 females.
The data showed that 11,461 arrived through Madinah and 2,727 through Jeddah.
Also, only 12 states have airlifted their pilgrims, with Sokoto State topping the list having airlifted 2,524.
Sokoto is closely followed by Zamfara State with 2,472 and Nasarawa State with 2,080.
Others include Plateau 1395; Osun 1274; Ogun 856; Jigawa 559; Katsina 543; Bauchi 528; Lagos 390; FCT 254 and Benue 239.
The Chairman of NAHCON, Zikrullah Hassan, has assured that all Nigerian intending pilgrims would be airlifted within 25 days.