Bauchi Sets May For Airlifting Of Pilgrims To Saudi Arabia

The Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has fixed May 3, 2026, for the commencement of the airlifting of intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for this year’s hajj.

The board’s executive secretary, Dr Abdurrahman Idris, disclosed this during a visit to the pilgrims’ enlightenment centre at Baba Sidi Primary School in Bauchi.

He attributed the development to the commitment and support of Governor Bala Mohammed toward ensuring a smooth hajj operation.

Represented by Imam Hassan Usman Zango, the executive secretary said the visit was to assess ongoing orientation exercises for the intending pilgrims.

He explained that the enlightenment programme was designed to educate the pilgrims on the rites and obligations of hajj in line with Islamic teachings.

Dr Idris urged them to attend the sessions promptly to fully understand the proper conduct of the pilgrimage.

He said all Bauchi pilgrims have secured their visas.

The executive secretary, however, warned that any intending pilgrim who misses their scheduled flight would be required to pay a penalty of N2.8 million and urged strict adherence to travel schedules.

He added that the date for the medical screening of pilgrims would be announced soon

In his remarks, the chairman of the Association for Enlightenment of Muslim Intending Pilgrims in Bauchi, Isa Ningi, said the group had conducted similar orientation exercises for over two decades, training about 30,000 pilgrims across the state.

He disclosed that the centre currently caters for about 375 intending pilgrims.

Ningi described the participation of pilgrims from other states as a testament to the association’s impact and commended the board for its support.