The Presidential committee on the interface with Saudi Arabian authorities on the deportation of female Nigerian pilgrims led by Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has left Nigeria.

A statement yesterday in Abuja by Tambuwal's spokesman James Ojo said the five-man delegation left for Jeddah yesterday morning.

"The delegation which took off in presidential jet marked 5N-FGU, departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja at exactly 6.45 am yesterday morning," the statement said.

Other members of the delegation include the Emir of Zuru, Alhaji Sani Sami, Alhaji Aminu Dantata; Chairman of Nigerian Hajj Commission (NAHCON), Alhaji Mohammed Bello; Professor Shehu Galadanchi and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs II, Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed.

Also in the trip were the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Defense, Bashir Adamu; Deputy Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee, Anwalu Dahiru Saleh, and Rep. Mohammed Shamsuddeen Ango Abdulahi.

Speaking shortly before their departure, Tambuwal urged the pilgrims affected by the development not to lose hope.

He stated that the Federal Government was not relenting in addressing the issues surrounding the deportation of the female pilgrims.

"With the prompt intervention by the Federal Government and the levels of talks held so far, we can only urge the people affected not to be discouraged. A reasonable level of understanding had been reached with the Saudi authorities and it is believed that an amicable truce would be achieved with this visit," Tambuwal said.