Gombe Pilgrims Urged to Safeguard Nusuk Permits as They Transit to Makkah
By Khadija Muhammad Zakari
As Saudi Arabia enforces stricter Hajj entry regulations for the 2026 pilgrimage season, the Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has urged intending pilgrims to safeguard their Nusuk permit cards, now regarded as the most important document for gaining access to Makkah during Hajj.
Executive Secretary of the Board, Malam Sa’adu Hassan, reiterated the warning during an interview.
According to him, the Nusuk card has become the primary authorization for movement into Makkah and the holy sites, stressing that possession of a visa alone will no longer guarantee access during the Hajj period.
Hajj Gazette reports that Saudi Arabian authorities recently announced that only pilgrims with approved Hajj permits linked to the Nusuk platform will gain entry into Makkah.
Stating that tourist visas, visit visas, transit visas, and even Umrah visas are not sufficient for Hajj access without a valid Nusuk card.
Saudi Arabian authorities have already mounted security checkpoints around Makkah to enforce strict compliance with the regulations as part of efforts to prevent overcrowding, improve safety, and curb illegal pilgrimage activities.
Meanwhile, Hassan urged pilgrims from Gombe State to avoid misplacing their Nusuk cards, describing the document as essential for identification and movement, as officials will demand it at checkpoints, accommodation centres, and within the holy sites.
He also urged pilgrims to remain law-abiding, follow instructions from Saudi authorities and Hajj officials, and maintain discipline throughout the pilgrimage period.
The development comes as preparations intensify for the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims, ahead of the commencement of the 2026 Hajj exercise.
