By Lamara Garba
The Amirul Hajj of Kano State and Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Dr. Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir, has strongly criticised the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) over what he described as the poor handling of Kano pilgrims during the ongoing 2026 Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking through his deputy, the Emir of Karaye, Alhaji Muhammadu Maharaz, during a meeting with NAHCON officials at the Kano Pilgrims Camp in Mina, the monarch lamented a series of operational failures that reportedly subjected pilgrims from the state to hardship and distress.
The Amirul Hajj said Kano pilgrims suffered repeated delays in airlift operations and were among the last contingents of Nigerian pilgrims transported to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
According to him, the development created anxiety and avoidable stress for intending pilgrims, noting that the intervention of the Kano State Government and the airline handling the operation prevented the situation from deteriorating further.
He disclosed that the delayed flights disrupted movement schedules and denied many pilgrims sufficient time to observe spiritual activities in Madina before proceeding to Makkah.
“Most of our contingents spent less than 24 hours or at best two nights in Madina instead of the traditional four or five days enjoyed by pilgrims from other states,” he said.
The Emir noted that the rushed movement affected the comfort and spiritual experience of many pilgrims who had looked forward to extended prayers and worship in the holy city.
The Kano Amirul Hajj also raised concerns over the quality of meals served to pilgrims, describing the feeding arrangements in Madina and Jeddah as inadequate and below acceptable standards.
He alleged that in some instances, pilgrims were not served meals at all despite the huge amount paid for the pilgrimage.
The monarch further decried the failure to issue Nusuk cards to several pilgrims, saying the development severely disrupted the performance of Hajj rites by affected pilgrims.
The Nusuk card is a mandatory identification document required for access to holy sites and key Hajj services in Saudi Arabia.
According to him, dozens of Kano pilgrims faced movement restrictions and were forced into temporary seclusion because the cards were not provided on time.
“At one point, some pilgrims remained trapped inside buses for more than five hours after arriving in Makkah because some passengers had no Nusuk cards and could not disembark,” he revealed.
He added that the situation was particularly difficult for elderly pilgrims and women who endured exhaustion and discomfort during the delays.
The Amirul Hajj stressed that the welfare of pilgrims must remain a top priority for all agencies involved in Hajj operations and urged NAHCON to urgently address the lapses before the commencement of the return airlift to Nigeria.
He expressed hope that the return journey would be better coordinated and free from the logistical challenges experienced during the outbound operations.
Responding, the Director of Training and Research of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Professor Abubakar Abubakar Yargawal, apologised for the inconveniences experienced by the pilgrims and assured that the issues raised would be addressed.
He said the commission had already begun efforts to improve services and thanked the Kano delegation for bringing the concerns to the attention of the commission.
Yargawal also commended the Kano pilgrims for their patience and understanding despite the operational setbacks encountered during the exercise.
He reaffirmed NAHCON’s commitment to ensuring the welfare, safety and successful pilgrimage of all Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.