Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has commenced the screening of luggage, to ensure that they conform with the prescribed kilograms and to fish out any contraband.

The Chairman of the Luggage Screening and Weighing Sub-Committee, Prof. Muhammadu Mustapha Gwadabe, said that the exercise started on Thursday night.

A statement on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Malam Ibraheem Musa, said that Mr Gwadabe commended the Kaduna State pilgrims for complying with the airline’s directives.

The sub-committee chairman also said that the agency made scales available for the pilgrims to weigh their luggage, on all the floors of the building, before coming for the official screening.

He said that the luggage of passengers on the first flight had already been successfully screened and their two 23 kilograms bags were being evacuated from the pilgrims’ residence.

Mr Gwadabe reiterated that pilgrims are allowed only 23 kilograms for each of their two bags, while their hand luggage should not exceed eight kilograms.

The sub-committee chairman also pointed out that passengers are not allowed to carry sharp objects and liquids of any kind in their check-in bags, warning that large amount of perfumes is not allowed onto the aircraft.

Mr Gwadabe who also disclosed that the return flight will now commence on June 16, as against the previous date of June 15, called on the pilgrims to be patient.

The sub-committee chairman advised them to use the extra day to pray for themselves, their families, Kaduna State and Nigeria as a whole.