Hajj 2026: 1,600 Lagos pilgrims return safely from Saudi Arabia
No fewer than 1,600 pilgrims from Lagos State who participated in the 2026 Hajj in Saudi Arabia have returned safely to Nigeria, marking the successful conclusion of the state’s pilgrimage operations. The arrival of the final batch of 187 pilgrims at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, on Saturday brought the 2026 Hajj exercise to a close. Speaking with journalists at the airport, the Amir-ul-Hajj and Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mr Ibrahim Layode, described the exercise as successful, attributing the achievement to adequate planning, teamwork and the exemplary conduct of the pilgrims. “We give all glory to Almighty God for the successful completion of this year’s Hajj journey to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. ” It was a success achieved through teamwork and consciousness of purpose,” he said. Layode said the state commenced preparations early despite the strict timelines set by Saudi authorities for payments and documentation. “We carried out comprehensive h...