By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
Third batch of Pilgrims from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) numbering 380, have landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after completion of this year’s Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The pilgrims arrived at about 2:30pm Nigeria time on Monday via the Air-peace flight APK 7905 and they couldn’t hide their excitement for reuniting with thier families.
The pilgrims were those who paid their Hajj fares from FCT Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board and majority of them are Hajj Savings Scheme pilgrims.
In an interview with them, some of the pilgrims expressed gratitude to almighty Allah for bringing them back home safely and appreciated the Honorable Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike and the Minister of State Dr Mariya Mahmoud for their unflinching support to ensure their wellbeing throughout Hajj exercise.
They expressed satisfaction on the way and manners in which the board handled their feeding arrangements, accommodation and took care of their wellbeing throughout the Hajj rites in Saudi Arabia.
In thier separate responses, one of the pilgrims, Dr Muhammad Ahmed Shehu who is also the Dan Amana Bauchi thanked Almighty Allah for giving them the opportunity to be among those who performed this year’s hajj and appreciated the pilgrims for always showing interest to have knowledge before performing each Hajj rites.
With the safe landing of the third flight carrying FCT pilgrims brought the total number of FCT pilgrims who have arrived Nigeria and landed in Mnamdi Azikwe international Airport to one thousand pilgrims out of the two thousand nine hundreds and fifty eight pilgrims that performed the Hajj through the FCT Pilgrims Welfare Board.
The fourth flight which will be carrying another set of the FCT Pilgrims is expected to arrive Nigeria today Wednesday.
