Alhaji Aliyu Bakoji, Secretary, Bauchi Hajj Committee, said that all pilgrims, including senior government officials, would get equal treatment in the journey back home.

Bakoji made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Mecca while responding to insinuations that members of the state Assembly on the pilgrimage would be given special treatment in the return trip to enable them to attend the 2010 state budget presentation.

"Although no such request has been tabled before the committee, a joint sitting of the committee and the state's Muslim Pilgrims Board resolved not to approve any form of preferential treatment for the journey.

"The decision is in the best interest of the state because doing otherwise could cause confusion," Bakoji said.

He explained that members of the state Assembly were part and parcel of the state government, adding: "I believe they would not do anything that could cause disaffection among the pilgrims."

Bakoji said that the manifest for the transportation of pilgrims from the state had been released and added that "we will adhere strictly to the flight schedule and ensure a smooth return journey.

"It is going to be on first come, first to leave", he said. To meet the Dec. 22 deadline for the transportation of all the 3,700 pilgrims back home, Bakoji said that discussions had reached an advanced stage to provide bigger aircraft for the exercise.

He urged the pilgrims to co-operate with the committee to ensure a smooth return trip.

NAN reported that the first batch of pilgrims from the state will leave Saudi Arabia to Gombe airport aboard a Kabo Airline plane on December 13.