By Lamara Garba

The return airlift of Nigerian pilgrims from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has commenced, with the first batch of 560 pilgrims from Nasarawa State departing King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, on Wednesday for Abuja.

The flight, operated by Max Air, took off at exactly 9:27 a.m. Saudi time, marking the beginning of the inbound phase of the 2026 Hajj operations following the successful completion of the pilgrimage rites.

As the homebound journey begins, the Kano State Amirul Hajj and Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Dr. Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir, has assured pilgrims from the state that adequate arrangements have been concluded to guarantee a smooth and hitch-free return to Nigeria.

Speaking during a visit to Kano pilgrims at their accommodation centres in Makkah, the Amirul Hajj said officials of the Kano State Government, through the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, are working closely with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and airline operators to ensure seamless airlift operations.

According to him, the commencement of the return journey by pilgrims from Nasarawa State signals the beginning of the final phase of the Hajj exercise, adding that Kano pilgrims should remain calm and continue with acts of worship while awaiting their scheduled flights.

“We have been following developments closely and are satisfied with the level of preparations being made. We want to assure our pilgrims that every necessary arrangement is being put in place to ensure a smooth return to Nigeria. There should be no fear of delays as we are maintaining close contact with NAHCON and the airline operators responsible for the airlift,” he said.

Dr. Abdulkadir explained that although the responsibility for transporting pilgrims back to Nigeria rests primarily with NAHCON and the designated airlines, the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board remains actively engaged with all stakeholders to safeguard the interests of pilgrims from the state.

“While the return airlift is not directly the responsibility of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, we consider it our obligation to liaise continuously with the relevant authorities to ensure that the process is seamless and that our pilgrims are not subjected to unnecessary hardship,” he stated.

The Amirul Hajj also advised pilgrims to strictly adhere to airline baggage regulations, warning that anyone who exceeds the approved luggage allowance may face difficulties during check-in procedures.

“I want to urge all our pilgrims to carefully observe the luggage guidelines issued by the airlines. Anyone who carries excess baggage beyond the approved weight should not blame anybody if such luggage is rejected by airline officials at the airport. Let us all cooperate to ensure a smooth operation,” he cautioned.

He further reminded the pilgrims that the remaining days of their stay in the Holy Land should be devoted to prayer, reflection and other acts of worship.

Describing Makkah as a city specially blessed by Allah, he urged the pilgrims to intensify prayers for peace, unity and progress in Nigeria.

“The time we have left here should not be wasted on frivolous activities. Makkah is a sacred and blessed city where prayers are answered. We should intensify our prayers for ourselves, our families, our leaders and our country. Nigeria is in need of peace, stability and prosperity, and we must continue to seek Allah’s intervention for our nation,” he said.

Meanwhile, data obtained from NAHCON showed that two additional return flights have been scheduled for Thursday, conveying pilgrims from Kebbi and Ogun states aboard Flynas, one of the airlines designated for the 2026 Hajj operations.

NAHCON’s Head of Aviation, Alhaji Habib Bello, had earlier announced the commencement of the return flights and appealed to pilgrims to comply with baggage regulations to avoid unnecessary delays.

He said each pilgrim is entitled to two checked bags weighing 23 kilograms each and one hand luggage weighing eight kilograms, warning that non-compliance could result in delays or removal from flight manifests.

According to him, pilgrims are also required to notify officials at least 48 hours before departure to facilitate passport release, baggage processing and transportation arrangements.

The flight schedule for the return of Kano pilgrims is yet to be released by the commission. Kano pilgrims were among the last contingents to arrive in Saudi Arabia during the outbound airlift and are therefore expected to be among the later groups to depart.

Statistics from the NAHCON control room indicate that a total of 38,888 Nigerian pilgrims were transported to Saudi Arabia during the outbound phase of the operation.

The pilgrims were conveyed in 98 flights conducted over a period of 19 days by four designated carriers.

Max Air transported the highest number with 14,701 pilgrims in 31 flights, while Flynas airlifted 11,005 pilgrims in 30 operations. Umza Aviation conveyed 6,917 pilgrims in 16 flights, while Air Peace transported 6,265 pilgrims in 21 flights.

Further analysis of the data shows that 24,159 male pilgrims and 14,729 female pilgrims participated in the 2026 Hajj exercise.

Kebbi State recorded the highest number of pilgrims with more than 4,000 participants, followed by Kano State with 3,603 pilgrims. Cross River State had the smallest contingent with 15 pilgrims, while Bayelsa State sent 17 pilgrims. Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra and Ebonyi states did not participate in this year’s pilgrimage.

By: Lamara Garba

The Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board has secured a strategic partnership with a Makkah-based humanitarian foundation to provide free eye care services to pilgrims from the state currently performing the 2026 Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The initiative will offer a wide range of eye care interventions, including cataract surgeries, comprehensive eye examinations, and the supply of prescribed medications, all at no cost to beneficiaries.

The programme is designed to improve the health and welfare of Jigawa pilgrims, particularly elderly worshippers and those suffering from vision-related ailments, enabling them to carry out their religious obligations with greater ease and comfort while in the Holy Land.

Speaking on the development, the Director-General of the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Ahmad Umar Labbo, said the collaboration underscores the board’s commitment to prioritising the well-being of pilgrims throughout their spiritual journey.

According to him, the board remains focused on introducing impactful programmes and welfare initiatives that directly enhance the Hajj experience of pilgrims, both before their departure from Nigeria and during their stay in Saudi Arabia.

He explained that the free eye care programme would provide timely medical support to pilgrims with existing eye conditions, helping them overcome health challenges that could hinder the performance of Hajj rites.

Alhaji Labbo further noted that the partnership reflects the board’s determination to strengthen healthcare support services for pilgrims and ensure that they receive the necessary medical attention whenever the need arises.

The initiative has received widespread commendation from Jigawa pilgrims, many of whom described it as a welcome intervention capable of addressing common eye health problems among worshippers, especially the elderly.

Observers have also hailed the programme as a significant step towards improving pilgrims’ welfare, describing it as another milestone in the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board’s efforts to place the health, comfort and overall well-being of pilgrims at the centre of its operations in the Holy Land.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Oyo State House of Assembly has rejected suggestions and calls that the state government should negotiate with the bandits who abducted teachers and students during the coordinated attack at Ahoro-Esinele in Oriire Local Government Area of the state on Friday, May 15, 2026.

It, however, called for intensified rescue operations to secure the release of victims abducted during the attack.

This resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the lawmaker representing Oriire State Constituency, Johnson Ogundele, during plenary shortly after the House resumed from the Eid-el-Kabir recess.

Presenting the motion, Ogundele recounted the May 15 attack on Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities, where bandits invaded during school hours, killing a teacher, a student and an Okada rider, while abducting dozens of students, pupils and teachers.

The lawmaker expressed concern over recurring attacks in Oriire LGA, noting that the area had witnessed increasing bandit activities since January, including an attack on the National Park Service office at Oloka village, where five forest guards were killed.

He called on Governor Seyi Makinde, to intensify security response, deploy more operatives, and personally engage with affected communities, while urging the establishment of a permanent military base within vulnerable areas and forest corridors.

The Assembly also directed the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and SUBEB to carry out immediate security audits of schools located near forests and border settlements across the state.

Lawmakers further urged the government to install solar-powered security lighting, perimeter fencing and CCTV cameras in vulnerable schools, and to develop a comprehensive Safe School Emergency Response Protocol for both public and private institutions.

They unanimously rejected proposals that the state government should negotiate with the bandits responsible for the abduction.

Seconding the motion, Majority Leader Sanjo Adedoyin (Ogbomoso South) renewed calls for the establishment of state police, arguing that current security arrangements were overstretched and ineffective in difficult terrains.

Other lawmakers, including Olubisi Oluranti (Ogbomoso North), Gbenga Oyekola (Atiba), and Gabriel Babajide (Ibadan North II), called for increased deployment of security personnel, better protection of forest reserves, and broader reforms of Nigeria’s security architecture.

They also raised concerns over increasing kidnapping incidents extending into urban areas and the need to strengthen the Amotekun Corps with better equipment and logistics.

The House subsequently adopted several resolutions, including a call on the federal government to establish a permanent military base in Oriire LGA and strengthen intelligence-driven operations in the area.

Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin, while ruling on the debate, firmly dismissed any suggestion of negotiation with kidnappers, warning that such an approach would embolden criminal elements and worsen insecurity.

He urged continued collaboration with security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of all abducted victims, while reaffirming the Assembly’s commitment to supporting stronger security measures across the state.