Lagos airlifts 1,353 pilgrims in 4 flights

The Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has airlifted 1,353 pilgrims in four flights from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia for the 2017 hajj.

Commissioner for Home Affairs and State Amiru-l-Hajj, Dr. AbdulHakeem Abdul-Lateef disclosed this to newsmen yesterday while giving update on the operations being carried out by MedView Airlines PLC.

The state has about 2,300 pilgrims performing the exercise this year.

Abdullateef stated that the pilgrims had been successfully accommodated in their respective hotels in Medina while activities of the pilgrimage had commenced in earnest.

He advised the pilgrims not to hold items for other pilgrims, saying, “Drugs could be hidden in onions, dry red chilies, drink cans and other unsuspecting items.”

Lagos Pilgrims are currently receiving lectures and sensitization at designated hotels on the importance of Zihara in the course of performing hajj.