By Olugbenga Salami
The Independent Hajj Reporters, IHR, monitoring team has commended the Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and other stakeholders for a well-coordinated and seamless airlift of pilgrims from the Bauchi zone for the 2026 Hajj.
In a statement signed by IHR National Coordinator Ibrahim Muhammad, the team said it observed a high level of dedication and organisation from the Hajj camp to the airport throughout the exercise.
Officials, it noted, maintained order and efficiency, ensuring smooth movement of pilgrims during departures.
The IHR singled out Executive Secretary of the board, Imam AbdulRahaman, for his hands-on leadership, saying he was consistently present with pilgrims and personally accompanied them to the point of boarding at every stage of the airlift.
It also praised NAHCON zonal officials in Bauchi for their strong commitment to coordination.
According to the team, the use of uniforms, identification tags and clearly defined roles by Bauchi officials improved coordination and made it easier for pilgrims to identify and seek assistance.
Operational data showed steady progress over several days. On May 6, Umza flight UY3507 departed Bauchi for Madinah with 481 Plateau pilgrims, bringing total airlifts to 6,493 across 15 flights.
On May 7, two flights—UY3509 and UY3511—transported 958 pilgrims from Bauchi and Plateau, raising the total to 10,576 pilgrims across 25 flights.
Flight UY3513 on May 8 airlifted 479 pilgrims, while UY3515 on May 9 conveyed 485 Bauchi pilgrims. By May 10, flight UY3517 departed with 476 pilgrims, including one from Jigawa State.
Cumulatively, 16,932 pilgrims had been airlifted in 40 flights as of May 10, which the IHR described as a highly efficient and coordinated exercise.
