The second group of Kwara State pilgrims who performed the 2025 Hajj has arrived safely in Ilorin. A total of 548 pilgrims returned from Saudi Arabia yesterday night after completing their pilgrimage.
According to a statement by Jumoke Jimoh, Press Secretary of the Kwara State Pilgrims Welfare Board, the pilgrims were transported by Max Air. The aircraft landed at the Babatunde Idiagbon International Airport, Ilorin, at exactly 7:01 p.m.
The group also included one pilgrim from Ondo State and three officials from Kwara, Alhaja Khadijat Kuburat Abtawiy, Alhaji Abdullahi Kawu-Shuaib, and Hajia Sanni Ramat who accompanied the pilgrims throughout the Hajj exercise.
Kwara State sent a total of 2,204 pilgrims to this year’s Hajj, one of the highest numbers from Nigeria. Their return is scheduled in four batches on June 21, 23, 25 and 27, based on arrangements made by the Pilgrims Welfare Board, the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) and the airlines.
The first batch of 558 pilgrims arrived in Ilorin on Saturday. With the second batch now home, a total of 1,106 Kwara pilgrims have returned so far.
Jimoh also noted that the Max Air flight that brought the second group departed again for Saudi Arabia at 8:52 p.m. on Monday to continue the airlift of the remaining pilgrims.