271 Muslim pilgrims arrive in Lagos airport

The Managing Director of Medview Airlines, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, said some 271 Muslim pilgrims that took part in the 2014 Hajj in Saudi Arabia returned home aboard the airline on Friday.Bankole told newsmen in Ikeja that the pilgrims, from the South West zone of Nigeria, arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard a Boeing 767 aircraft, belonging to the airline.



According to him, the Muslim faithful are from Ogun and Oyo states.

He said the pilgrims were the first batch to return to the country among others designated for transportation by the airline.

Bankole said the remaining 5,303 pilgrims allocated to the airline would be transported within two weeks.

“We are fully mobilised in terms of equipment and personnel to handle the return leg of the annual exercise.

“We will ensure that the airline concludes the return leg in record time, even as measures have been put in place to ensure the exercise is hitch free,’’ he said.

He, however, called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to assist in getting aircraft for any stranded Nigerian pilgrim at the Holy land if need arises.