Over 500 intending pilgrims from Kano State may miss the 2022 Hajj exercise, as the extra 2-day landing permit granted for the airlift of the intending pilgrims will elapse tomorrow (Wednesday).
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that over 2,000 intending pilgrims had registered for this year’s Hajj exercise in the state.
Almost 1,000 intending pilgrims had been airlifted to Saudi Arabia but hundreds of others are somewhat stranded at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, MAKIA.
A source alleged that the delay to airlift the remaining pilgrims was as a result of a plot by some vested interests in National Hajj Commission, NAHCON, to frustrate the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board.
The source disclosed that the plot followed the Board’s earlier rejection of Azman Air, an air carrier assigned by the NAHCON to the state, opting for Max Air.
“NAHCON is not happy with the Executive Secretary of Kano State Pilgrims boards over his initial rejection of Azman as the state carrier and his refusal to treat Hajj Saving Scheme pilgrims who registered through Jaiz Bank in 2022 above those that registered in 2019, 2020 and 2022 under Kano state pilgrims board,” the source alleged.
But this newspaper gathered that Azman Air had so far conducted three trips, airlifting less than half of the intending pilgrims in the state.
As at Monday evening, when our correspondent visited the Hajj Camp, it was observed that over 400 intending pilgrims were abandoned by Azman Air for over 48 hours without being airlifted to Saudi Arabia.
Our correspondent also sighted the Executive Secretary of the pilgrims’ board, Abba Dambatta, consoling the stranded intending pilgrims.
Allaying fears of the intending pilgrims, the NAHCON spokesperson, Fatima Sanda-Usara, stressed that no pilgrim will be left behind, “as long as that individual has valid travel documents”.
In a statement announcing the two-day extension of landing permit, Mrs Usara said: “Notwithstanding the difficult situation, NAHCON once again reiterates that God willing, no pilgrim will be left behind as long as that individual has valid travel documents.
“To buttress this fact, frequency of outbound flights improved to seven take-offs yesterday and at full capacity too. Thankfully, one of the carriers, FlyNas, with its four aircraft, will fly four times daily thereby moving 1,732 each day.
“Therefore, NAHCON appeals to pilgrims to be calm and to remain prepared for onward conveyance for the 2022 Hajj. The Commission regrets any tension and stress intending pilgrims might have experienced during this outbound journey to the holy land.”
