The Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board has confirmed that the Max Air aircraft carrying 559 of the state pilgrims had an emergency landing twice on Wednesday.
The Executive Secretary of the Board, Umar Labbo, stated this in an interview with newsmen.
It was reported that the first batch of 559 Jigawa pilgrims was airlifted from Nuhu Muhammad Sunusi International Airport Dutse on Wednesday at 4:45 pm by Max Air.
He explained that minutes after the plane departed from Nuhu Muhammad Sanusi Airport, it made an emergency landing after being struck by lightning.
He added that the plane was replaced, but the aircraft carrying the pilgrims later returned to the Kano airport after it also developed a fuel problem in Cameroonian airspace.
Labbo said all the pilgrims were safe at the Aminu Kano Airport and, for the third time, departed for Saudi Arabia at about 4:00 pm on Thursday after an alternative flight was provided.
He urged the relatives of the affected pilgrims to calm down, as the situation was under control.
Max Air manager in Kano, Bello Ramadan, who confirmed the incidents to newsmen, said the second flight returned to Aminu Kano Airport after a minor problem
