Saudi Arabian authorities have restored direct flights from Nigeria to the Kingdom, a release by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says.

“The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria(NAHCON) received the pleasant news on the lifting of direct travel ban into Saudi Arabia effective from the March 5,” a spokesperson for the commission Fatima Usara, quoted its chairman Zikrullah Hassan as saying.

Mr Hassan noted that the only requirement for entry into the kingdom was a full vaccination with the accompanying registration on Tawakkalna and Eatmarna apps as a gateway.

“Accordingly, intending pilgrims for Umrah from Nigeria and other similarly banned countries are permitted to travel directly into Saudi Arabia so long they fulfil the mandatory vaccines requirement,” he said.

Mr Hassan rejoiced with Muslim Ummah all over the world, over the development, which has normalised worship in the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah.

“Indeed, it has been two years of agonising deprivation for those to whom Saudi Arabia is not just a home of worship but also a means of livelihood.

“NAHCON is seizing this opportunity to inform the public that guidelines for participation in the Hajj shall be communicated to Nigerian intending pilgrims after signing of the MoU between NAHCON and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah,” he said.

Mr Hassan urged intending pilgrims from Nigeria to be law-abiding whenever they were in Saudi Arabia for Hajj or Umrah.

(NAN)