The airlifting of Ilorin, Kwara state zone of intending pilgrims for this years Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabi which comprises of Kwara ,Ekiti and Ondo state , is to commence between 23rd and 24th of this month.

The Ilorinzonal coordinator of the national Hajj commission (NAHCON) Alhaji Aliyu Musa Ubandawaki who made the disclosure while fielding questions from Journalist on how prepared the commission is for the commencement of the airlifting said a total of 3127 intending pilgrims were registered in the zone .

According to him Kwara state has a total of about 2,500 intending pilgrims, Ekiti 309 while Ondo has a total of 318 intending pilgrims for this year.

He explained that Kwara and Ondo State intending pilgrims are to be airlifted by Kabo airline and Ekiti is to be airlifted by Medview airline to the holy land.

He noted that since KABO air is expected to come with a bigger aircraft which will have at least 500 and above capacity the airlifting of all the intending pilgrims will be in about six trips.

He said already all the state have sent their passports to Abuja for vissa adding that very soon the visas will be ready for the airlifting to commence.

He said already the Hajj camp has been put in good shape in preparation for the coming of the intending pilgrims and their documentation for the journey.

The NAHCON coordinator maintained that the all the cleaning of the hostels has been done and the disinfecting of the area for mosquitors and other insects has also been carried out to make the place more habitable.

He urged the pilgrims to ensure they observed rules and regulations both at home and the holy land to make things easy for the commission.

He also said the intending pilgrims as well as the state hajj welfare boards should always guide against the issue of abscondment or not showing up at the airport when it is time to board the flight as any delay will be faced with sanctions.

He urged that whoever failed to show up for boarding may end up not travelling or remain among the last batch of the intending pilgrims.

On the issue of security, Ubandawaki said all the security agencies are on ground to ensure that there is no breach of the law by any one.

He advised the intending pilgrims to cooperate fully with the security personnel to be deployed as they are there to protect them.

He also assured them of the provision of a functional health facilities and portable drinking water for their use at the camp, noting that all intending pilgrims should abide by the law and that they should not carry any incriminating drugs or object in their luggage's.

He said the commission is fully committed at ensuring that all the intending pilgrims have a hitch free hajj rituals while in the holy land.