By Abdullahi Yusuf

1. Max Air NGL2008 departs Jeddah for Ilorin at 15:53hrs with 549 pilgrims and 10 officials(Kwara: 548, Ondo: 1), bringing the total airlift to 18,713 across 44 flights.

2. Air Peace APK7913 lifts 311 Taraba pilgrims and 3 officials from Jeddah to Yola at 20:20hrs.

3. UMZA UY3550 departs Jeddah to Yola at 20:45hrs with 289 pilgrims and 15 officials(Adamawa: 113, Yobe: 176).

4. UMZA UY3554 departs Jeddah to Kaduna at 00:44hrs with 474 Kaduna pilgrims and 8 officials.

5. Flynas XY9088 airlifts 423 Kebbi pilgrims and 6 officials from Jeddah at 06:18hrs.

6. Max Air VM265 departs Jeddah for Bauchi at 08:25hrs with 458 Plateau pilgrims and 99 officials.

7. Flynas XY9028 departs for Abuja at 09:14hrs with 304 FCT pilgrims and 6 officials.

8. Pakistan begins pre-registration for Hajj 2026, introducing token payments and mandatory registration for both public and private schemes. Process to be handled through designated banks.

9. Indonesia repatriates 74,447 pilgrims via 192 flight operations, with 7,801 more returning today. Second wave to Madinah also ongoing, with 21,626 already arrived and 6,990 scheduled to depart.

10. Governor Muftwang of Plateau gifts Muslim Pilgrims Board a permanent office complex, marking a first since state creation. Board plans future hostel and market developments on the site.

11. Mashariq Company seeks partnership with Lagos State for enhanced Hajj 2026 operations, following service shortfalls in Mina and Madinah. Lagos commissioner highlights key concerns and expresses readiness for collaboration.

12. Did you know? Every year, hundreds of people are caught trying to enter Saudi Arabia with fake Hajj or Umrah visas.

13. Fun fact: Some fraudulent agents alter tourist or business visas to make them look like Hajj or Umrah permits.

14. Fun fact: In 2023, multiple fake passport networks were uncovered in Sudan, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Bangladeshduring Hajj season.

15. Fun fact: There are over 10 immigration checkpoints inside the Hajj terminals, including digital thumbprint and iris scans.

16. Did you know? Any pilgrim caught entering Saudi Arabia illegally may be banned for up to 10 years.

17. Did you know? Special fraud detection teams are deployed at both Jeddah and Madinah airports during Hajj and Umrah seasons.

18. Did you know? Some Nigerian pilgrims in past years were stranded at Saudi airports due to incomplete or forged documents.