Hajj: Pilgrims warned against excess luggage 

Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has advised pilgrims to adhere strictly to the prescribed kilograms for all luggage category, in order to prevent delays in their return journey from Saudi Arabia.

The Chairman of the Preaching Sub-Committee of the Agency, Sheikh Haliru Maraya, warned that excess luggage could delay their outbound flights to Nigeria.

Sheikh Maraya who admonished the pilgrims on the need to follow airport protocols at the Prince Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah, gave the counsel after Zuhr or afternoon prayers, at their Ibrahim Khalil residence in Makkah.

A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Malam Ibraheem Musa on Sunday, recalled that the airlift of Kaduna pilgrims back home will commence on June 15,2026.

According to the statement , Sheikh Maraya implored pilgrims to be good ambassadors of Kaduna State by following laid down rules and regulations.

The Islamic cleric warned that the agency will sanction any pilgrim who incites others to break the law, adding that Kaduna State is known for adhering to law and order.

He argued that Governor Uba Sani’s entire public life revolves around following due process and the rule of law, whether as an activist, a Senator or the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, warning pilgrims against invoking his name to break the law.

The learned Sheikh also warned of fatal consequences arising from excess luggage, citing two incidents of plane crashes that resulted in the death of Nigerian pilgrims in 1973 and 1991.

He recalled that a plane crashed on January 22, 1973, equivalent to Dhul-Hijjah 18 , 1392, where 176 out of 202 that were on board, lost their lives.

Sheikh Maraya also recalled that on July 11 , 1991, equivalent to Dhul-Hijjah 29 , 1411, a plane crash involving Nigerian pilgrims occurred at Jeddah, killing 261 people, including 247 passengers and 14 crew members, shortly after takeoff.