No fewer than 1,070 out of the 4,913 pilgrims from Katsina State had so far been transported to Saudi Arabia for the 2023 pilgrimage.

The State Pilgrims Welfare Board spokesperson, Badaru Bello-Karofi, stated this in an interview on Friday in Katsina.

Mr Bello-Karofi said the pilgrims, transported in two flights, comprised those from Daura and Mani zones.

He explained that on Wednesday, the first flight departed Umaru Musa Yar’adua International Airport, Katsina, with 543 pilgrims from the Daura zone.

Mr Bello-Karofi said the flight had since landed safely at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, and the pilgrims were now in Madina performing their religious obligations.

He added that the second flight with 527 pilgrims from the Mani zone left Katsina at about 2:04 a.m. and arrived safely at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah.

Mr Bello-Karofi said all the pilgrims were in good health, adding that the third flight is expected to convey intending pilgrims from the Malumfashi zone any moment.

He said all the 4,913 states pilgrims would be transported by Max Airline.

The state Amirul Hajj, also the speaker of the Katsina House of Assembly, Tasiu Maigari and the executive director of the board, Suleiman Nuhu-Kuki, witnessed the pilgrims’ departure.

However, they expressed satisfaction with how and how the hajj operation was going.

Mr Bello-Karofi, therefore, urged the intending pilgrims to continue to corporate with the hajj officials for the success of the exercise.

(NAN)