The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria says no fewer than 9,000 Nigerian pilgrims have arrived in Medinah for the 2026 hajj operations.

According to NAHCON officials in Saudi Arabia, the number has been transported since the commencement of the Hajj airlift operations on Sunday.

Fifty thousand Nigerian pilgrims have been approved by the Saudi authorities for the hajj. The pilgrims are expected to spend four days in Medinah before onward movement to Mecca.

An update from NAHCON showed that the inaugural flight, UMZA flight UMZ3501, took off on Sunday, transporting 473 Kogi pilgrims to Medinah, comprising 296 males and 177 females.

This was followed by a Flynas flight that conveyed 418 Kebbi Pilgrims consisting of 259 males and 159 females. There was also a MaxAir flight carrying 560 Nasarawa pilgrims, comprising 381 males and 179 females.

On Monday, an Airpeace flight departed Lagos for Medinah with 315 Oyo pilgrims, 155 males and 160 females.

A Flynas flight also departed Kebbi to Madinah on Monday, conveying 427 Kebbi pilgrims. There were 283 males and 144 females, with two officials.

There was also an UMZA flight from Dutse, Jigawa, carrying 480 pilgrims, comprising 306 males and 174 females. Then, a MaxAir flight also departed Gombe for Medinah with 411 pilgrims, consisting of 238 males and 173 females.

NAHCON has also transported 557 pilgrims from Nasarawa, 394 from Jigawa, an additional 424 from Nasarawa, 343 from Osun, and 550 from Gombe. Pilgrims from Kebbi, Kwara and Plateau have also been transported to Medinah.

Meanwhile, the chairman of NAHCON, Ismail Yusuf, had earlier assured stakeholders of the commission’s steadfast commitment to the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims .

Mr Yusuf urged the pilgrims to ensure that their conduct in the Holy Land is guided by humility.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima urged the pilgrims to uphold national values that positively reflect Nigeria and act as positive ambassadors of the country.

Mr Shettima described the pilgrims as representatives of the country on the global stage who must portray the best of the nation while complying with the host nation’s strict regulations.

“You are ambassadors of Nigeria. You carry with you the image of our nation and the dignity of our people. Let your conduct reflect discipline, humility, patience, and integrity,” he said.

(NAN)