Hajj: 1,546 pilgrims arrive home as return flight begins

By Habeebat Ajayi from Mecca The return phase of the 2026 Hajj exercise has commenced with 1,546 Nigerian pilgrims successfully airlifted from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia back to Nigeria by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). The inbound operation, which began on June 3, marks the start of the pilgrims’ journey home following the completion of the Hajj rites in Makkah and other holy sites. According to figures released by the NAHCON Command and Control Centre, the first return flight departed Jeddah for Abuja on June 3. The MaxAir flight, NGL267, left at 9:27 a.m. carrying 560 pilgrims from Nasarawa State. The second inbound flight took off in the early hours of June 4 when Flynas flight XY9866 departed Jeddah for Kebbi State at 5:53 a.m. with 426 pilgrims on board. Later the same day, MaxAir flight NGL263 departed Jeddah for Abuja at 10:54 a.m. carrying 560 pilgrims, comprising 559 pilgrims from Nasarawa State and one pilgrim from Katsina State. With the completion of the three flights, a total of 1,546 pilgrims have so far returned to Nigeria, while three return flights have been successfully operated. The return operation forms part of the overall airlift plan approved for Nigerian pilgrims under the 2026 Hajj exercise. NAHCON had earlier assured pilgrims and their families that adequate arrangements had been put in place to guarantee a safe, orderly and seamless return journey from Saudi Arabia. The commission is expected to continue the inbound airlift in phases until all Nigerian pilgrims and officials participating in this year’s pilgrimage are transported back home. Officials expressed optimism that the return exercise would proceed smoothly, building on the coordination and logistics deployed during the outbound phase of the Hajj operation.