BENIN CITY — The Edo State Pilgrim Welfare Board says the 95 intending pilgrims from the state for the 2026 Holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia will be airlifted on May 18.
Executive Secretary of the board, Alhaji Muhammadkabir Eranga, disclosed this on Thursday in Benin City during an interview with journalists.
Eranga said all necessary arrangements had been concluded to ensure a smooth and hitch-free Hajj exercise for the intending pilgrims.
“We have informed the intending pilgrims that the camping starts on May 15 in Benin City, before leaving for Lagos on May 17, for onward movement to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj exercise,” he said.
He disclosed that the board had secured accommodation, catering and transportation services, among other logistics, for the pilgrims.
“We are doing our final screening today for all the intending pilgrims across the state to ensure that everything is in order before departing for the pilgrimage,” he said.
According to him, visas had also been secured for those participating in the Hajj operation.
Eranga explained that although Edo State was allocated 351 slots for the pilgrimage, only 95 persons completed payment before the deadline fixed by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
“We were given 351 slots but 95 persons were able to make payment before the deadline set by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria’s (NAHCON),” he said.
The executive secretary further disclosed that about 100 persons who paid after the deadline in anticipation of an extension would not participate in this year’s exercise.
He said the affected persons had been advised either to apply for refunds or allow the board to retain their payments for consideration in next year’s Hajj exercise.
