The last batch of 474 Nigerian pilgrims have departed Yola for Saudi Arabia.
According to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, the total number of the passengers on board comprised 301 males and 173 females.
The pilgrims were transported in a Boeing 747 aircraft belonging to the contracting airliner, Aero/Umza, marked NIG 9031.
Usman Sambo, the (NAHCON) official in charge of Adamawa and Taraba States, confirmed this in Yola, the Adamawa state capital.
According to him, the total number of the passengers on board comprised 301 males and 173 females.
He said the pilgrims would arrive in the Holy city of Madinah within seven hours, saying they are expected to spend some days in Madinah before departing to the Holy city of Makkah.
Malam Usman Liman, an airline official, assured that they would, in the next few hours, begin transportation of the 1,560 pilgrims from Taraba.
He attributed the delay in the transportation of the pilgrims to the late processing of their travel visas, saying the state pilgrims agency is working to resolve the issue.
The airliner has been keeping to the contract schedule in the transportation of the pilgrims.
He also urged pilgrims to adhere to the rules of the hajj and that of the Saudi Arabia Government to earn the desired rewards.
SPEAKER
Usman Sambo, the (NAHCON) official in charge of Adamawa and Taraba States.
