Makkah, Saudi Arabia — The Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board has intensified preparations for the return of pilgrims to Nigeria by commencing the distribution of travelling bags and successfully completing the sorting of e-passports ahead of the June 11 airlift of Katsina pilgrims from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Board’s Executive Director, Alhaji Yunusa Abdullahi Dankama, disclosed that all necessary arrangements were being finalized to ensure a smooth and hitch-free return operation for pilgrims following the completion of the 2026 Hajj exercise.
As part of the preparations, officials of the Board conducted the sorting of pilgrims’ e-passports at Mashariq Adhdhahabiyyah in Makkah, a key requirement for the return airlift process. The exercise was completed without any difficulties, with officials of Mashariq Adhdhahabiyyah providing full support to the Katsina team.
The e-passport sorting committee was chaired by Muhammad Saifuddeen Yakubu Musa, while the Director of Operations of the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Dr. Nasir Dan-Zaria, served as coordinator. Other members included Alhaji Hassan Ibrahim Bindawa, Alhaji Isa Isa Yandaki and Alhaji Yusuf Damale Kaita.
Meanwhile, the Board has also commenced the distribution of travelling bags to pilgrims in Makkah. To facilitate the exercise, pilgrims have been grouped into three operational zones—Funtua, Katsina and Daura.
Pilgrims from the Funtua Zone received their bags on the first day of the exercise, while those from the Katsina and Daura Zones are scheduled to collect theirs subsequently.
Dankama explained that this year’s luggage arrangement differs from previous years and conforms with international aviation best practices. Under the new arrangement, each pilgrim will receive an eight-kilogram hand luggage in addition to two travelling bags with a capacity of 23 kilograms each.
He noted that in previous years, pilgrims were provided with one eight-kilogram hand luggage and a 32-kilogram main travelling bag.
The Executive Director further revealed that while the general return airlift of Nigerian pilgrims is expected to commence on June 3, pilgrims from Katsina State are scheduled to begin their journey home on June 11.
He commended the pilgrims for their patience, discipline and cooperation throughout the pilgrimage and assured them that the Board remains committed to ensuring their welfare until their safe return to Nigeria.
The ongoing preparations mark the final phase of the 2026 Hajj operation for Katsina State pilgrims, who are expected to conclude their stay in the Holy Land in the coming days.
