The movement of 40,671 intending pilgrims from Nigeria to Mecca for this year’s hajj exercise earlier scheduled for today, May 9, 2025 could not commence as Saudi Arabia authority refused to grant Nigeria airlines landing permits.
The action by Saudi Arabia was said to be as a result of the refusal of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to comply with existing bilateral air agreement.
NAHCON had planned to flag off the inaugural flight from Owerri, Imo State with Vice President Kashim Shettima as Special Guest of honour and Governor Hope Uzodinma as Chief Host.
However, the inaugural flight could not hold as the
Saudi Arabia is said to be insisting that 50 per cent of Nigeria’s pilgrims must be transported by Saudi-designated carriers,in line with the existing airlift agreement.
A source close to NAHCON described the development as worrisome.
The source also expressed the fear that the disagreement could put the entire Hajj operation into disarray.
The source said : “We’ve been negotiating with them for four days, but they are adamant.
“They want to enforce the agreement strictly, giving their airline half of our pilgrims.
“We owned the pilgrims, and they want to dictate to us the numbers to allocate to their airline.”
NAHCON, it is gathered has briefed Vice President Shettima on the development to enable him to handle the matter diplomatically.
“It’s now a government-to-government issue.
“Without quick intervention, thousands of Nigerian pilgrims may miss this year’s Hajj.”
(vitalnewsngr.com)
