Kaduna — Airlift of intending pilgrims from Kaduna State to Saudi Arabia for this year's hajj exercise will commence on Thursday 5th of November, the Executive Secretary of the state Muslim pilgrims Welfare Board Malam Abdullahi Mukhtar Mohammed has said.

The delay in the commencement of airlift was as result of construction works going on at the runway of the Kaduna International Airport. The repair was said to have been completed at the weekend.

Speaking during a meeting with officials of the board at the weekend, he said all the necessary arrangements for the exercise had been completed and that all the visas of the pilgrims had been processed.

He said pilgrims from Chikun, Lere, Igabi and those that paid through the board are to be airlifted through the first flight by Kabo Air on Thursday and that the airlift of pilgrims from Giwa, Zaria, Kaduna South and North would commence the following day through Max Airline. According to him, Meridian Airline will commence the airlift of pilgrims from Plateau on Friday and that it would be back on that same day to airlift pilgrims from Kudan, Kubau, Soba, Kachia, Kagarko, Kajuru and Sanga Local governments.

He urged the pilgrims to be at alert and listen to radio and television for the announcement of time of respective local governments. The executive secretary also tasked them to adhere religiously to the rules and regulations guiding the exercise. He assured the pilgrims from the state not to be panic, saying they would all be airlifted before the deadline and described the repair of the airport as timely.