A civil society organisation, Independent Hajj Reporters, has called on state governments to strengthen and synchronise security arrangements for intending pilgrims ahead of the 2026 Hajj airlift.
The group made the call in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad.
It said the appeal had become necessary as pre-airlift activities commence across the country, urging authorities to adopt proactive measures to forestall potential threats to pilgrims.
The organisation stressed the need for adequate monitoring of pilgrims’ movement from their homes to orientation centres, transit camps and embarkation points, noting that some pilgrims travel across states for departure.
It urged state governments to liaise with security agencies to establish coordinated teams to protect pilgrims throughout the pre-Hajj period.
The group also advised state Muslim pilgrims’ welfare boards to sensitise pilgrims on basic security tips, including how to identify threats and comply with guidelines issued by Saudi authorities, especially regarding sharing unverified security information.
Independent Hajj Reporters recalled the arrest of wanted bandits at hajj camps during the 2025 Hajj as a case study that needs to be avoided
It further cautioned pilgrims against moving in large groups with non-travelling family members, warning that such actions could expose them to security risks.
Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.
Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.
He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.
Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).
He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.
He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.
Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.
