Ghana and Nigeria Celebrate Safe Return of 2026 Hajj Pilgrims

The first batch of 423 Ghanaian pilgrims completed the 2026 Hajj and arrived back in Tamale, where they were received by officials of the Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana, security personnel, family members and well‑wishers. The Pilgrims Affairs Office coordinated buses and security escorts to ensure safe transport, and Chairman Alhaji Abdul‑Rauf Tanko Ibrahim thanked President John Dramani Mahama and other stakeholders for the smooth operation.

The final group of 248 pilgrims from Kwara State, Nigeria, also returned safely, landing in Ilorin after the pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Amirul‑Hajj Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi Kpotwa described the exercise as one of the best‑organized in recent years, while Chairman of the Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board Professor Mashood Mahmud‑Jimba praised Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Saudi authorities for their support and called for measures to mitigate the hot weather.