The Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has announced that the first batch of pilgrims from the state who participated in the 2026 Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia will arrive at the Babatunde Idiagbon International Airport, Ilorin, on Sunday.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Press Secretary of the board, Mrs. Jumoke Jimoh, a copy of which was made available to The PUNCH in Ilorin.
Speaking on preparations for the return of the pilgrims from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Executive Secretary of the board, Alhaji Abdulsalam Abdulkadir, said arrangements had been concluded to receive the first set of returnees.
He said, “A total of 560 pilgrims will be transported by MaxAir and are expected to land at the Babatunde Idiagbon International Airport, Ilorin, tomorrow, Sunday, June 7, 2026.”
He explained that the return of pilgrims had been scheduled in batches to ensure a smooth and coordinated operation.
“The second batch of pilgrims will arrive on Tuesday, while the third batch is scheduled to return on Friday, and the last batch is expected to arrive on Sunday, June 14, 2026,” he stated.
The Executive Secretary disclosed that all pilgrims from Kwara State were in good health and high spirits following the completion of the religious exercise in the holy land.
“All Kwara pilgrims are in good health and high spirits. We thank Almighty Allah for granting us a successful Hajj exercise this year,” Abdulkadir said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the board, Professor Mashood Mahmud-Jimba, commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his support towards the successful conduct of the pilgrimage.
“We appreciate Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his unwavering support and commitment, which contributed immensely to the smooth and successful Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia,” Mahmud-Jimba said.
He assured relatives, friends, and well-wishers of the pilgrims that adequate measures had been put in place to ensure a seamless reception process upon their arrival in Ilorin.
The board is expected to continue providing updates as subsequent batches of pilgrims return from the holy land.
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