Saudi Arabia stated on Monday that the Hajj pilgrimage for the Islamic year 1446 had ended peacefully and successfully, meaning that Nigerian pilgrims participating in the 2025 Hajj will be returning home.
Nigerians were among the more than 1.67 million pilgrims who participated in the holy rituals.
In marking the end of the Hajj, the Nigerian National Hajj Commission set the start of return flights for Nigerian pilgrims on June 9.
A few pilgrims conveyed their happiness at the chance to carry out the holy rituals.
Seven pilgrims, however, were buried in Saudi Arabia in accordance with Islamic customs after they were reported dead during the exercise due to health issues that prevented them from making the return trip.
Saudi Arabian physicians have attributed the deaths of pilgrims from Oyo, Abia, Edo, Plateau, and Kano to heart failure and cardiac arrest.
However, fewer people died during the 2025 Hajj compared to the 2024 pilgrimage, where at least 30 Nigerians lost their lives.
In a statement released yesterday, Prince Saud bin Mishaal, the Deputy Emir of the Makkah Region, commended the Kingdom’s leadership for making sure there were no significant events pertaining to health, security, or services.
Official statistics show that 166,654 pilgrims, including citizens and residents, arrived domestically, while 1,506,576 pilgrims came from outside Saudi Arabia.
“A total of 1,673,230 pilgrims, comprising 877,841 male pilgrims and 795,389 female pilgrims,” stated Mishaal.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman were praised by Prince Mishaal for their efforts, and he credited their leadership and the effectiveness of the supporting organizations for the pilgrimage’s seamless execution.
“The excellent execution of operational plans allowed the pilgrims to perform their rites in safety and peace,” he said.
He also praised the pilgrims’ adherence to rules as a major contributor to the success of the season.
He emphasized the Kingdom’s delight in its ongoing service to the holy places and tourists from all over the world, and he confirmed that preparations for the upcoming Hajj season will start right away.
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