The Leader of Kaduna State’s 2026 Hajj Delegation, Abubakar Mustapha, has described this year’s pilgrimage as the best he has witnessed in 45 years of performing hajj.

Mr Mustapha, who said he first performed hajj in 1981 and later served as Amirul Hajj of Kaduna State in 1999, attributed the success to the transparent and efficient management of the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency.

According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Ibraheem Musa, on Thursday, Mr Mustapha made the remarks on Wednesday during a visit to Kaduna pilgrims at the Ibrahim Khalil residence in Makkah.

Mr Mustapha, a former Head of the Kaduna State Civil Service, commended the management of the agency under Salihu Abubakar for conducting a hitch free exercise.

He noted that the delegation had not received any report of misconduct or unruly behaviour from Kaduna pilgrims as the pilgrimage winds down.

Mr Mustapha urged the pilgrims to maintain discipline and continue to comply with guidelines issued by Saudi authorities to facilitate a smooth return journey to Nigeria.

He was accompanied on the visit by the District Head of Rigasa and Dangaladiman Zazzau, Mohammed Aminu Idris; the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, Prof. Bello Ayuba; and Islamic clerics, Sheikh Imam Tukur Adam Al-Mannar and Sheikh Abdullahi Rabiu Ishaq.

Earlier, the Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Salihu Abubakar, also commended the pilgrims for their cooperation, which contributed significantly to the success of the Hajj operations.

He appealed to them to sustain the same level of cooperation as arrangements commence for their return to Nigeria following the conclusion of the pilgrimage. 

(NAN)