By Matthew Denis
No fewer than 500 intending pilgrims from both Ekiti and Ondo states will be airlifted by Medview Airline at the Ilorin International airport on Monday (today).
The Representative of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in Ilorin zone, Alhaji Adeyinka Ishiaq made the disclosure during a telephone chat with Pilot Aviation on Saturday.
He said, โThe last batch of intending pilgrims from this zone will be airlifted on Monday by Medview Airline.
“We are looking at about 500 from both Ekiti and Ondo states but it is until we screen them before we can get the accurate number of pilgrims that will actually go for the hajj rites,” he added.
When contacted, the Media Consultant of the airline, Mr. Obuke Oyibotha confirmed development, adding that necessary arrangement to ensure hitch free flight operation is ongoing.
Oyibotha, however, cautioned the pilgrims against carrying contraband items that could get them into trouble with security agencies at the screening point.
He urged the intending pilgrims to be law abiding and good ambassadors of Nigeria in the holy land, while tasking them to show commitment towards observing the hajj rites.
It would be recalled that the last batch of Kwara pilgrims arrived Saudi Arabia for the 2018 hajj exercise penultimate Sunday.
The last batch of 512 of Kwara intending pilgrims including officials of the state Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board were airlifted by Max Air at exactly 11:07am on Sunday.
