No fewer than 1,070 out of the 4,913  pilgrims from Katsina State had so far been transported to Saudi Arabia for the 2023 pilgrimage.

The spokesperson of the State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Badaru Bello-Karofi, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Katsina.

Bello-Karofi said the pilgrims, who were transported in two flights, comprised those from Daura and Mani zones.

He explained that the first flight departed Umaru Musa Yar’adua International Airport, Katsina, on Wednesday, with 543 pilgrims from Daura zone.

 Bello-Karofi said that the flight had since landed at King Abdul’Azeez International Airport, Jeddah safely and the pilgrims were now in Madina performing their religious obligations.

He added that the second flight with 527 pilgrims from Mani zone left Katsina at about 2:04 a.m. and arrived King Abdul’azeez International Airport, Jeddah safely.

Bello-Karofi said that all the pilgrims were in good health, adding that the third flight is expected to convey intending pilgrims from Malumfashi zone any moment from now.

He said that all the 4,913 state pilgrims would be transported by Max Airline.

The state Amirul Hajj, who is also the Speaker, Katsina House of Assembly, Alhaji Tasiu Maigari and the Executive Director of the board, Alhaji Suleiman Nuhu-kuki, witnessed the pilgrims’ departure.

 They, however, expressed satisfaction with the way and manner the hajj operation was going on. 

Bello-Karofi, therefore, urged the intending pilgrims to continue to corporate with the hajj officials for the success of the exercise. (NAN)