The 2025 Hajj operations for Gombe State have concluded with joy, gratitude, and spiritual fulfilment as the first and final batches of pilgrims safely landed at the Gombe International Airport, Lawanti, over the weekend. The successful return marks the completion of a remarkable journey that brought together faith, patience, and unity under the careful coordination of the Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.
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The first batch of pilgrims arrived on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 10:00 am Nigerian time. The flight carried 549 pilgrims from Gombe State and 2 from Adamawa State, bringing the total number on board to 551.
The arrival was greeted with jubilation as families, board officials, and community members thronged the airport to receive their loved ones who had fulfilled one of the five pillars of Islam in the Holy Land of Mecca and Madinah.
All the pilgrims on the first flight returned in sound health and high spirits, a testament to the board’s thorough medical and logistical preparations both before and during the Hajj exercise.
The second and final flight returned on Sunday, June 29, with 397 pilgrims. Originally scheduled to land at 6:20 pm, the flight faced a delay due to heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions over Gombe.
For safety reasons, the aircraft was temporarily diverted to Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano, where it landed successfully and awaited improved weather conditions before continuing to Gombe.
The plane eventually landed at Gombe International Airport at 11:20 pm, concluding the airlift operation with no incident or medical emergency reported.
This brings the total number of pilgrims returned to the state to 957, all safe, healthy, and spiritually fulfilled after completing the sacred pilgrimage.
Among those on the final flight was Her Excellency the First Lady of Gombe Hajiya Asma’u Inuwa Yahaya, Executive Secretary Gombe Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board Alhaji Saadu Hassan and Chairman of the Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and Emir of Dukku, His Royal Highness Alhaji Abdulkadir Haruna Rasheed.
Shortly after disembarking, the Emir addressed journalists and officials, expressing his immense satisfaction with the conduct, patience, and resilience of Gombe pilgrims throughout their time in Saudi Arabia.
He commended the pilgrims for representing Gombe with dignity and spiritual discipline and lauded the board for its tireless work in ensuring a smooth and successful Hajj.
According to the Emir, the cooperation between the pilgrims and board officials played a critical role in maintaining order, ensuring safety, and achieving the spiritual objectives of the journey.
He extended his appreciation to all board members, Hajj Guide and Ulam’a who worked around the clock to support the pilgrims before departure, during their stay in the Holy Land, and upon their return.
Speaking shortly after his arrival, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Saadu Hassan, thanked Almighty Allah for granting Gombe State a peaceful and successful Hajj operation.
He expressed profound gratitude that not a single death, serious illness, or incident was recorded among the pilgrims, noting that the operation was among the smoothest the board had ever conducted.
Alhaji Saadu also commended the Executive Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, for his moral and logistical support to the board throughout the Hajj preparations and execution.
According to the Executive Secretary, the Governor’s timely intervention in matters of funding, medical care, and spiritual guidance contributed immensely to the success of the pilgrimage.
The Executive Secretary further highlighted the professionalism and coordination of the airline officials and support teams who ensured that the delay experienced by the second flight was managed with calm and caution.
Many pilgrims, overwhelmed with emotion, shared stories of spiritual growth, unity, and personal transformation during their time in the Holy Land.
They offered prayers of gratitude for safe return and praised the Gombe State Government and the Pilgrims Welfare Board for their commitment to their well-being.
Several first-time pilgrims expressed awe at the entire experience, noting the support they received from board officials, spiritual guides, and fellow pilgrims throughout the journey.
The pilgrims also extended appreciation for the quality of accommodations, food, and health services provided to them during their stay in Saudi Arabia.
In line with standard procedures, the board announced plans to organise a post-Hajj debriefing session for pilgrims, which will include feedback collection, spiritual reflection, and evaluation of the 2025 operations.
The success of this year’s Hajj has earned Gombe State commendations from both the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria officials and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for its efficiency, transparency, and discipline.
As the pilgrims return to their families and communities, they bring with them renewed spiritual strength, valuable lessons in humility, and prayers for peace, prosperity, and development in Gombe and Nigeria at large.
The Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has once again demonstrated its capacity to deliver world-class Hajj Operations, with safety, dignity, and service at the core of its mission.