Kaduna Airlifts 1,158 Pilgrims to Medina

The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency (KSPWA) has successfully airlifted 1,158 intending pilgrims to Medina, Saudi Arabia, marking a smooth start to the state’s 2026 Hajj operations.

The agency’s Public Relations Officer, Mallam Ibrahim Makarfi, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna, noting that all three scheduled flights departed and landed safely without incident.

According to Makarfi, the airlift was carried out in three batches over consecutive days. “The first flight departed on May 14 with 426 pilgrims, the second on May 15 with 389 pilgrims, while the third flight left on May 16 conveying 343 pilgrims. All flights landed safely in Medina,” he said.

He described the exercise as well-coordinated and hitch-free, attributing the success to effective planning and collaboration among relevant stakeholders involved in the Hajj operation.

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The spokesperson further assured that the agency remains committed to ensuring the welfare, safety, and comfort of all pilgrims throughout their stay in Saudi Arabia. He added that necessary arrangements had been made on ground in Medina to receive and accommodate the pilgrims.

Makarfi also urged the pilgrims to conduct themselves in accordance with the rules and guidelines of the pilgrimage, stressing the importance of discipline and cooperation during the exercise.

The successful airlift represents the first phase of Kaduna State’s participation in the annual Islamic pilgrimage, with more movements expected as preparations continue for the remaining intending pilgrims.

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and attracts millions of Muslims from across the world to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina each year. Kaduna State is among the states in Nigeria that organize coordinated pilgrimages through government-approved agencies to ensure a seamless experience for participants.