TheCable

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos, says 310 pilgrims have been airlifted back to Nigeria from Jerusalem.

On October 8, the Palestinian Hamas militant group infiltrated Israel in what was an unprecedented assault. 

At the time of filing this report, over 1,500 people have been confirmed dead from the conflict.

Responding to calls from stakeholders, Sanwo-Olu appreciated the Lagos ministry of home affairs for its contribution to ensuring safe transportation of the pilgrims.

“Good morning Lagos, I’m happy to announce that we have successfully airlifted and returned all three hundred and ten (310) citizens who went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Israel,” he wrote on his X page.

“I want to thank you all for your concern and I must also express my joy to our ministry of home affairs for a job well done.”

FIGHTING INTENSIFIES 

On Monday, Yoav Gallant, Israel’s defense minister, ordered a complete siege and blockade on Gaza, a Palestinian controlled city.

Gallant said authorities have cut off electricity, food and fuel into Gaza, hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war on Hamas.

Israel has also ramped up air strikes on the city, with Hamas launching a barrage of rockets of its own into Israel from Gaza.

Israeli tanks and drones were deployed to guard breaches in the Gaza border fence to prevent fresh incursions.

Thousands of Israelis were evacuated from more than a dozen towns near Gaza, and the Israeli military has drafted over 300,000 reservists — a massive mobilisation in such a short time.