Kwara State has successfully transported the first two batches of its intending pilgrims to Madinah, Saudi Arabia, for the 2026 Hajj exercise.
The initial batch of 374 pilgrims departed Ilorin on Wednesday aboard a MaxAir flight from the General Tunde Idi-Agbon International Airport, while a second batch of 556 pilgrims left in the early hours of Thursday.
The two operations brought the total number of pilgrims so far airlifted from the state to 930.
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Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, while seeing the pilgrims off, urged them to be worthy ambassadors of Kwara State and Nigeria by obeying the laws of Saudi Arabia and conducting themselves responsibly throughout the pilgrimage.
“Our message to pilgrims from Kwara State this year centres on the need for them to behave as good representatives and ambassadors of Kwara State in particular and Nigeria in general, and to make sure they comply with all the laws and regulations of the host country, Saudi Arabia,” he said.
Represented by his Special Adviser and Counsellor, Saadu Salaudeen, the governor also encouraged the pilgrims to pray for peace, unity and progress in Nigeria.
The Amirul Hajj and Etsu Tsaragi, Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu, assured the pilgrims of proper care and support throughout their stay in the holy land.
“We will make sure that Kwara pilgrims have the best this year, and Insha Allah we are going to take care of their well-being over there,” he said.
The Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, said medical personnel and other officials had accompanied the pilgrims to ensure their comfort and welfare.
A total of 1,714 pilgrims from Kwara State are expected to participate in the 2026 Hajj exercise, with the remaining batches scheduled for airlift in the coming days.
