Yobe State recorded zero cases of pilgrims absconding in Saudi Arabia during the 2026 Hajj exercise, Governor Mai Mala Buni has said.
Buni disclosed this on Thursday when the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Sensitisation Committee paid a courtesy visit to the Yobe State Government in Damaturu.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Alhaji Idi Barde Gubana, said the state’s pilgrims completed the pilgrimage without any reported case of abscondment.
He also said Yobe achieved another milestone by becoming the first state in the North-East to complete the transportation of its pilgrims from Saudi Arabia back to Nigeria after the conclusion of the Hajj.
According to him, the development reflected the state government’s commitment to ensuring proper coordination, welfare and safe return of its pilgrims throughout the pilgrimage exercise.
Buni further commended the relevant authorities involved in the 2026 Hajj operation for their cooperation and efforts toward ensuring a smooth pilgrimage for Nigerian Muslims.
The governor’s remarks came as the NAHCON Sensitisation Committee engaged stakeholders in Yobe as part of efforts to strengthen awareness and improve the management of future Hajj operations.
Pilgrim abscondment has remained a concern in international pilgrimage administration, making effective orientation, monitoring and proper coordination important throughout the Hajj period.
Yobe’s reported zero-abscondment record and early completion of pilgrim transportation therefore stand out as notable outcomes from the 2026 Hajj exercise.
The state government said it would continue to work with relevant authorities to improve the experience and welfare of Yobe pilgrims in subsequent pilgrimage seasons.
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