The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has addressed claims that some pilgrims from Adamawa State were left without accommodation in Makkah during the 2026 Hajj exercise. The commission stated that a viral video circulating online did not accurately depict the situation on the ground.
Investigation into Viral Video
In a statement on X, NAHCON confirmed that its officials promptly investigated the incident after the footage gained traction on social media. According to the commission, the affected pilgrims arrived in Makkah late on May 13, and the accommodation process was still underway when the video was recorded. The commission explained that while some pilgrims waited for room allocation, others proceeded to the Haram to perform Umrah, leading to confusion regarding assigned accommodations.
“This resulted in miscommunication during room allocation as some of those in the video had rooms allocated but didn't know where the rooms were,” NAHCON stated.
Resolution and Current Status
NAHCON confirmed that officials later attended to the pilgrims upon their return and completed the accommodation arrangements. The commission maintained that all affected pilgrims have now been properly lodged. The video had earlier sparked concern after reports claimed that pilgrims from Yola North, Song, and Madagali local government areas were stranded outside a hotel in Saudi Arabia. Some pilgrims in the footage appeared exhausted, sitting beside their luggage.
“We all spent the night outside. There are no rooms, nobody is explaining anything to us, and even food has not been provided,” one pilgrim said in the video.
Commission Appeals Against Misinformation
NAHCON insisted that the footage created a misleading impression because it captured events while room allocation was still in progress. The commission also noted that testimonials from some Adamawa pilgrims in the same video confirmed that accommodation issues were eventually resolved. The commission urged pilgrims and officials to verify information through appropriate channels before sharing reports online.
“The Commission calls on pilgrims and officials alike that witness any challenge to verify information and contact concerned officials in their State Boards or the Commission first before posting misleading narratives to the public,” the statement read. NAHCON added that it remains committed to the welfare and comfort of Nigerian pilgrims participating in the 2026 Hajj exercise.
Background on Hajj Preparations
Earlier, NAHCON had completed accommodation arrangements for Nigerian pilgrims participating in the 2026 Hajj, finalizing the process ahead of deadlines set by Saudi authorities. In an announcement signed by Ahmad Muazu, Technical Assistant on Media to the NAHCON chairman, on February 2, 2026, it was noted that this development positions Nigeria among countries that concluded one of the most critical operational requirements for the pilgrimage within the approved timeline.
