Top government officials see off President Muhammadu Buhari at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport as he leaves the country for pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia

NIGERIAN President Muhammadu Buhari has travelled to Saudi Arabia on Thursday to perform lesser pilgrimage

Buhari left the country through the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, according to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.

The presidential aircraft conveying the president and members of his entourage took-off from the airport at about 11.00am.

Those at the airport to bid the president `bye-bye’ included Abba Kyari, his chief of staff,   minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT; Mohammed Adamu, acting inspector general of police and other government officials.

NAN reports that the president’s trip to the Holy Land followed the invitation by King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, the king of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

Garba Shehu, president’s senior special assistant on Media and Publicity, in Abuja on Wednesday, confirmed that President Buhari would perform the Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) while in the Kingdom in a statement earlier.

President Buhari last performed the Umrah in Saudi Arabia in February 2016.

Umrah is an optional but recommended pilgrimage to Mecca that can be made at any time of the year.

– May 16, 2019 @ 3:53 GMT |