Hajj, Umrah: S/Arabia to lift ban on Nigerian flights soon – Envoy

Saudi Arabia has said that the suspension of flights from Nigeria to the kingdom would soon be lifted to enable Nigerian pilgrims visit the holy land. The Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Faisal Bin Ibraheem Al-Ghamidy, gave the hint during a courtesy visit by the management of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to his […]

Saudi Arabia has said that the suspension of flights from Nigeria to the kingdom would soon be lifted to enable Nigerian pilgrims visit the holy land.

The Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Faisal Bin Ibraheem Al-Ghamidy, gave the hint during a courtesy visit by the management of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to his office in Abuja.

The kingdom had, in December 2021, announced suspension of flights from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia over the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

The envoy said, “I hope that the flight suspension on Nigeria into the kingdom would soon end.”

He also spoke on compensation for victims’ families of the September 2015 crane crash in Makkah, which killed over one hundred pilgrims.

He said his country was prepared to ensure the compensation is handed over to the heirs or their representatives soonest as long as the requirements are complied with.

Earlier, the Chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, appreciated the constant mutual support and cooperation between the two countries.

Hassan urged the kingdom to reconsider the direct entry ban slammed on Nigeria in the interest of the country’s intending pilgrims.

He also thanked the Saudi Arabia for its efforts toward compensating families of the crane crash victims.