Hajj: Excess Luggage Could Delay Return Flights, Kaduna Agency Warns Pilgrims

The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has advised pilgrims to strictly adhere to prescribed luggage weight limits to avoid delays in their return journey from Saudi Arabia.

The Chairman of the Preaching Sub-Committee of the agency, Sheikh Haliru Maraya, warned that excess luggage could disrupt logistics and delay outbound flights to Nigeria.

Maraya gave the advice after Zuhr (afternoon) prayers at the Ibrahim Khalil residence in Makkah, urging pilgrims to comply fully with airport regulations at the Prince Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah.

A statement issued on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Malam Ibraheem Musa, said the airlift of Kaduna pilgrims back to Nigeria is scheduled to commence on June 15, 2026.

The statement noted that Sheikh Maraya also urged pilgrims to serve as good ambassadors of Kaduna State by obeying all rules and regulations guiding their movement and conduct.

He warned that the agency would not hesitate to sanction any pilgrim who incites others to violate established laws, stressing that Kaduna State is committed to discipline and respect for due process.

Maraya further cautioned pilgrims against invoking the name of Governor Uba Sani to justify wrongdoing, saying the governor’s public life has consistently reflected adherence to due process “whether as an activist, a senator, or as governor of Kaduna State.”

He also highlighted the dangers of non-compliance with airline baggage rules, warning that excess luggage could pose operational challenges and safety risks.

In a more detailed caution, Maraya referenced past aviation tragedies involving Nigerian pilgrims, citing incidents in 1973 and 1991 as reminders of the importance of strict adherence to safety regulations.

He recalled that on January 22, 1973, a plane crash resulted in the death of 176 of 202 passengers, while another crash on July 11, 1991, involving Nigerian pilgrims in Jeddah, claimed 261 lives, including passengers and crew.

Maraya urged pilgrims to remain disciplined, cooperative and safety-conscious as preparations continue for their return journey to Nigeria.