The Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar, Sa’ad II has announced that the 2016 airlift for intending Hajj pilgrims will commence on 8 August.

He made the disclosure at a Hajj Stakeholders Conference at the National Mosque, Abuja, adding that intending pilgrims from Zamfara State would be the first to be airlifted.

The Sultan, who was represented by the Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar, urged intending pilgrims to stick to the rules as set out by the Saudi Arabian authorities, specifically warning them against carrying kolanut and other products considered as contraband in the holy land.

“In preparing for this exercise, there is need to look at several critical areas especially in terms of movement from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia and other local runnings in the holy land.

“I advise all intending pilgrims to adhere to the regulations. Do not carry any type of kolanut or bitter kola in order to avoid hitches right from the airport.”

The airlift would kick-off at the Sokoto International Airport.