The Executive Secretary of the Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Imam Abdurrahman Ibrahim Idris, has declared the 2026 Hajj exercise as the most successful pilgrimage operation conducted by the state in recent years.
Imam Abdurrahman attributed the achievements recorded during the exercise to the unwavering support provided by the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed.
The Executive Secretary made the disclosure on Thursday during Eagle Radio’s live programme, Ana Tare.
According to him, about 2,100 pilgrims from Bauchi State participated in the 2026 Hajj exercise and regrettably one pilgrims from the state lost his life.
While commending the pilgrims for their cooperation and strict adherence to the rules and regulations governing the pilgrimage, he acknowledged that some challenges were encountered during the operation.
He identified the delay by some intending pilgrims in depositing their Hajj fares within the stipulated period as one of the major obstacles affecting the timely processing of visas.
However, Imam Abdurrahman assured that all challenges experienced during the exercise would be thoroughly reviewed and treated as lessons learned to improve preparations for future Hajj operations.
The Executive Secretary also announced that the collection of deposits for the 2027 Hajj exercise will commence on Monday, June 29, 2026, and close on September 26, 2026.
He noted that the 2027 Hajj fare is likely to increase following the decision of the Saudi authorities to discontinue Category ‘D’, which had been the most affordable package for pilgrims.
Imam Abdurrahman commended development partners, service providers, media organizations, and members of the public for their support and contributions toward the successful conduct of the 2026 Hajj exercise.
Some callers who participated in the programme also praised the Pilgrims Welfare Board for its dedication, commitment, and effective management of the 2026 Hajj operations.