2025 Hajj: NAHCON Transports 36,297 Pilgrims Back Home
By Ahmad Tijjani Abdul
KANO – The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, (NAHCON), has conducted 88 returns flights with 36,297 Pilgrims, out of 41,668 representing over over 86% of total Pilgrims that have been successfully airlifted safely to Nigeria.
The National Chairman of the Commission, Professor Saleh Usman Abdullahi disclosed that
“Umza flight UY3540, which departed Jeddah to Kaduna @ 01:46hrs with 476 Kaduna Pilgrims and 8 Officials, bringing the total Airlift at 36,297 putting the total flights to 88”.
Professor Saleh who said that with the way the airlifts is been handled so far, the Commission would soon completes the returns of all the remaining Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
One of the Pilgrims in Kano who returned from the Holy Land, Alhaji Abba Sani Musa, extended his heartfelt appreciation to NAHCON that this is the first time he has performed Hajj without any hitches or doubts on his scheduled returns.
“I must commend the leadership of the Hajj Commission for their one care in Saudi Arabia both on welfare, medical health, transportation and even our stayed in Medina that was exceptional”, he said.
Another Pilgrim interviewed, Alhaji Tijjani Nasamu, noted that with the way the National Hajj Commission was up and doing with this task shows a great departure from the old habits where after Hajj usually Pilgrims were left to fend for themselves.
He said, “while in Saudi Arabia, NAHCON officials were over us to ensure that they have no issues and when we were told on our scheduled flights exactly on the day we were airlifted, this is highly commendable”.
Earlier the Commission informed that the return leg Hajj airlift operations has improved significantly with carriers securing an increase in slot allocations
In a statement by the Assistant Director Information and Publications of the Commission, Fatima Sanda Usara, said Nigeria’s carriers have since 22nd June been allocated up to seven flights per day at the ratio of 2-2-2-1. The general pace of operations had been slower than anticipated due to post Hajj airspace congestion and flight cancellations for various reasons.
However, despite the increase in slots, the return airlift of pilgrims may not be concluded by June 28th as earlier projected. This may not be possible until Tuesday, 2nd July 2025- approximately six days away, barring any further unforeseen disruptions.