Mr Abdullahi-Dankama said the board initiated enlightenment programmes to educate the intending pilgrims.

The Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board says it has registered over 2,700 intending pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

The executive director of the board, Yunusa Abdullahi-Dankama, said this in an interview with journalists on Thursday in Katsina.

He said that the administration of Governor Dikko Radda was committed to ensuring the hitch-free conduct of the holy pilgrimage.

Mr Abdullahi-Dankama said that the board had initiated enlightenment programmes to educate the intending pilgrims on Hajj rudiments to prepare them for a successful Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

He said the programme would also educate them on the Saudi Arabian rules for pilgrims.

He said that the state government would sponsor Islamic preachers and guides from each of the 34 local government areas of the state to assist the intending pilgrims in performing Hajj rites in Saudi Arabia.

He added that the government had secured befitting accommodations for them in Makkah, close to the Sacred Mosque, to enable them to perform their Hajj rites with ease.

He urged them to pray for peace and prosperity for the state and the country at large in Saudi Arabia.

Mr Abdullahi-Dankama cautioned them against illicit drug trafficking and travelling with prohibited items to Saudi Arabia.

He also said the board classified them into groups as directed by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria for easy processing of travel visas to Saudi Arabia.

He called on them to be good ambassadors of the state during their stay in Saudi Arabia.