Maiduguri — About 1,250 out of the 3,080 intending pilgrims from Borno and Yobe States were yesterday airlifted to Saudi Arabia from the Maiduguri international airport. The pilgrims were airlifted in three trips by Air Niamey and IRS Airline, the carriers contracted for the exercise.

Speaking with newsmen at the airport, the zonal coordinator of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Alhaji Muhammadu Kalgo said Kabo Air's participation in the inaugural flight of the pilgrims was as a result of inability of Air Niamey to arrive Nigeria within the period. Kalgo pointed out that all necessary arrangements were already put in place to ensure smooth airlift of the worshippers, assuring that the airlift would be within the stipulated time.

The Secretary to the State Government, Ambassador Baba Ahmed who is also the Amirul Hajj, while bidding fare well to the pilgrims, cautioned them to conduct themselves well while in the holy land. The Amirul Hajj urged the pilgrims to shun any act capable of creating bad image for the state and Nigeria. Daily Trust observed that the plane which landed at 11.30 am took off by 4.00pm with proper screening of the pilgrims by officials of the NDLEA, Customs, Immigration and other security agencies under the supervision of the Amirul Hajj.