Jigawa State on Monday flagged off the 2026 Hajj exercise as 480 pilgrims from 25 local government areas departed Dutse for Madinah, Saudi Arabia, marking the state’s first batch of pilgrims to the Holy Land this year.
The airlift took place at the Nuhu Muhammadu Sunusi International Airport, Dutse, where the pilgrims boarded an Umza Airlines aircraft amid prayers and farewell messages from Governor Umar Namadi and the Jigawa State Amirul Hajj, the Emir of Dutse, Hameem Nuhu.
Bidding farewell to the pilgrims at the airport, Namadi urged them to be good ambassadors of Jigawa and Nigeria while in the Holy Land.
The governor called on the pilgrims to pray for peace, unity and progress in Jigawa and the country during their spiritual journey.
He further assured them that the state government had made adequate arrangements for their comfort, safety and welfare in Saudi Arabia.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Umar Labbo, said the 480 intending pilgrims were drawn from Kazaure, Roni, Gwiwa, Yankwashi, Gumel, Gagarawa, Garki, Maigatari, Sule Tankarkar, Babura, Jahun, Miga, Kafin Hausa, Auyo, Hadejia, Kirikasamma, Guri, Birniwa, Malam Madori, Dutse, Kiyawa, Ringim and Gwaram.
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He added that board officials, medical personnel and other key stakeholders were also on the flight to support the pilgrims throughout the exercise.
Labbo commended Namadi for his consistent support and cooperation with the pilgrims board ahead of the 2026 Hajj operations.
He also praised security agencies for the smooth screening of pilgrims at both the Hajj camp and the airport.
He noted that the board worked with the Nigeria Police, NDLEA, Immigration and Customs to sensitise pilgrims on items allowed and prohibited for the trip.
“We have fortified our pilgrims with the right information to avoid any issues in Saudi Arabia,” Labbo said, urging them to maintain the fear of Allah in all their activities.
He stressed that all necessary measures had been put in place to ensure the pilgrims’ welfare while in Saudi Arabia.
However, the DG appealed to the pilgrims to remain disciplined and uphold the image of the state throughout their stay in the Holy Land.
Some of the intending pilgrims at the airport described the journey as a lifelong dream.
Musa Ibrahim, from Kazaure Local Government Area, a first-time pilgrim, said, “I have waited 12 years for this day. The state government and the pilgrims board treated us like family at the Hajj camp. We got everything we needed, from screening to orientation. I will pray for Jigawa and Nigeria when I reach the Holy Land.”
Another first-time pilgrim, Aisha Sani, from Dutse, said, “Alhamdulillah, today Allah has answered my prayers. The officials were patient with us during the drills and lectures. They taught us what to carry and what to avoid. I feel prepared and safe. My prayer is that every Muslim gets this chance.”
Both pilgrims commended the arrangements at the airport, saying the screening by security agencies was orderly, while the medical team was on the ground to attend to elderly pilgrims.
The intending pilgrims also pledged to be good ambassadors of Jigawa State while performing the 2026 Hajj rites.
The airlift of the first batch signals the start of Jigawa’s 2026 Hajj operations, with another batch expected to depart in the coming days.
