All the 2,682 pilgrims from Bauchi State that performed 2024 Hajj have returned home safely.
The flight that carried the last batch of the pilgrims arrived with a total of 549 pilgrims, comprising 290 pilgrims from Bauchi, and 259 from Plateau State. It landed at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport in Bauchi.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after their arrival, the Executive Secretaty Bauchi State Pilgrims Welfare Board Imam Abdurrahman Ibrahim Idris commended the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Muhammed Abdulkadir administration for helping to make the pilgrimage less cumbersome.
He said Governor Bala paid nearly one million naira to each pilgrim, with $100 to each of the pilgrims before departing Nigeria and additional 300 riyals in Saudi Arabia. He made all arrangement that made their stay comfortable.
The Secretary said because of the arrangement made by the Governor this year they secured visa for all Bauchi pilgrims en block, and paid the visa fees directly which made it easier for them.
He added that they airlifted all the pilgrims in six batches within nine days, and they were also airlifted back home within nine days, explaining that last year’s pilgrims spent between 43 and 45 days but this year they spent only 38 days.
Many of the pilgrims interviewed said this year’s Hajj was hitch-free because, the pilgrims did not encounter any problem from the Pilgrims Welfare Board and the carrier airline.
They commended the maturity, orderliness and lawfulness exhibited by the state pilgrims while in Saudi Arabia, a development they attributed to the enlightenment and education offered them.
