• Niger begins airlift of 2,281 intending pilgrims
Flynas, the Saudi-designated Nigerian Hajj air carrier, has airlifted 50.25 per cent of its allocated Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia within one week for the 2026 Hajj exercise.

The airline flew all the pilgrims directly to Madinah, Islam’s second holiest city, ahead of the annual pilgrimage.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by Mr Mahmood Muhammad Abande of the Flynas Media Office in Abuja.

According to the statement, Flynas operated its second flight from Nigeria on May 4, 2026, transporting 418 pilgrims from Kebbi State through the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, to Madinah.

The airline has so far airlifted 6,149 intending pilgrims in 14 flights from Birnin Kebbi, Abuja, Lagos and Minna in Niger State to Saudi Arabia.

A breakdown of the figure showed that 2,988 pilgrims were transported from Kebbi State, 2,379 from Ogun State, 424 from Nasarawa State, 345 from Niger State, as well as 13 officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

Meanwhile, the Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board on Monday commenced the airlift of 345 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj exercise.

The first batch comprised 227 male and 118 female pilgrims drawn from Chanchaga and Borgu Local Government Areas of the state.

Speaking at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, Governor Muhammad Umaru Bago urged the intending pilgrims to serve as good ambassadors of the state throughout their stay in the Holy Land.

He advised them against receiving items from strangers for safekeeping and urged them to safeguard their personal belongings.

The governor also encouraged the pilgrims to stay hydrated and pray for peace in Nigeria, Niger State and their families during the pilgrimage.

Earlier, the Amirul Hajj for Niger State and Emir of Agaie, Alhaji Yusuf Nuhu, described the level of preparation for the pilgrimage as satisfactory.

He urged the pilgrims to obey the laws of Saudi Arabia throughout their stay.

Some of the intending pilgrims commended the Hajj officials for the preparations and pledged to pray for an end to insecurity in Nigeria and parts of Niger State.

The state is expected to complete the airlift of its 2,281 intending pilgrims in six flights scheduled to end on Sunday.

In a related development, NAHCON said it had secured official approval and operational licences from the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health for clinics and medical outposts established to serve Nigerian pilgrims during the 2026 Hajj.

The commission disclosed this in a statement yesterday, noting that the licences authorise its medical teams to commence healthcare services for pilgrims in the Kingdom.

According to NAHCON, the clinics were established to provide primary healthcare services, including medical consultations, first aid and treatment of minor ailments.

“In line with operational guidelines, pilgrims seeking medical attention at NAHCON clinics are required to present their Nusuk Card and International Passport for identification and treatment documentation,” the statement said.

The commission added that pilgrims requiring specialised or secondary healthcare services would be referred to accredited Saudi medical facilities, including King Fahd Hospital and other designated hospitals in the Kingdom.

NAHCON also confirmed that its Madinah Clinic had been fully operational for the past four days, providing medical support for Nigerian pilgrims in the city.

The licensed facilities include the NAHCON Clinic in the Shara Sittin Area at Hotel Humaira on Umm Al-Qura Street near the Old Al-Maatani Petrol Station in Makkah; the clinic in the Misfalah, Al-Tadwa Area at Maatouq Al Qarhi Hotel behind Millennium Hotel on Ibrahim Khalil Street; and the clinic on Mansour Street Area located at Niger House No. 1 behind MuasasatAlnaqd in Makkah.