By Sodiq Adelakun
A total of 188 Lagos State pilgrims who participated in the 2024 Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia have arrived in Lagos, safely.
The pilgrims, including the elderly, those with health issues, and international pilgrims from the USA and Europe, landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, on a Flynas flight from Jeddah.
According to the Amir-ul-Hajj and Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode, the remaining pilgrims will be airlifted according to the schedule set by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
He assured that another batch of 320 pilgrims will be airlifted on Monday, June 24, 2024, and urged pilgrims to remain calm and patient.
The successful return of the first batch of pilgrims marks a positive start to the return journey of Lagos State pilgrims from the holy pilgrimage.
Recall that Lagos State airlifted a total of 1,869 pilgrims for the holy pilgrimage exercise. Thus, with the arrival of the 188 in the first/special batch, the number of Lagos pilgrims yet to be airlifted is now 1,681.