Gombe Completes 2026 Hajj Return Airlift as Final Batch Arrives
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The second and final batch of pilgrims from Gombe State who participated in the 2026 Hajj in Saudi Arabia arrived home safely on Saturday afternoon, completing the state’s return airlift operation.
According to information from the Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, the final batch consisted of about 453 pilgrims and arrived aboard MaxAir flight NGL271, which departed Jeddah at 09:27hrs.
The development followed the arrival of the first batch on Friday, when 522 pilgrims landed in Gombe.
Officials said the successful completion of the operation brought the total number of pilgrims airlifted back to Gombe to 962 pilgrims through a total of 2 flight operations.
Speaking shortly after the arrival of the final batch at Gombe International Airport, the Executive Secretary of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Malam Sa’adu Hassan, described the return exercise as smooth and successful.
“We thank Almighty Allah for granting us this opportunity and blessing. We pray that Allah accepts our prayers and the good deeds we have carried out and grants us the ability to continue serving the community with sincerity and trustworthiness.
“We ask Allah to help us fulfill our responsibilities, bless our efforts, and grant us success and progress in this world and the Hereafter,” Hassan said in an interview with Hajj Gazette.
The completion of the return flights marks the end of Gombe State’s 2026 Hajj airlift operations, with authorities reporting that all scheduled flights were carried out successfully.
