Special Report: What Really happened at Adamawa Makkah Accommodation
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
Fresh details have emerged over the temporary accommodation challenges faced by some Adamawa State pilgrims in Makkah, with insider information obtained by Hajj Gazette indicating that the situation was caused by a logistical mix-up during the movement of pilgrims from Madinah to Makkah.
According to sources familiar with the operation, the first and second flights conveying Adamawa pilgrims to Saudi Arabia were approved to depart almost simultaneously, leading to the movement of a large number of intending pilgrims within a short period.
The first flight reportedly conveyed 557 pilgrims, while the second flight carried 552 pilgrims, bringing the total number of pilgrims transported from Madinah to Makkah on the same day to 1,109.
The source disclosed that accommodation had already been secured for the pilgrims in three different hotels located in separate areas in Makkah.
However, confusion reportedly began when buses transporting the pilgrims mistakenly dropped some pilgrims meant for one hotel at another location.
“Some buses conveying pilgrims assigned to the first accommodation facility mistakenly took them to the second hotel, while others meant for the second facility were taken to the third location,” the source explained.
The arrangement, according to the insider, was for the buses to immediately depart after dropping off passengers, a development that further complicated efforts by officials to quickly reorganize the affected pilgrims.
The situation reportedly escalated when the second batch of pilgrims arrived while officials were still attempting to resolve the initial mix-up involving pilgrims from the first flight.
The source maintained that the issue was purely operational and not due to lack of accommodation, insisting that adequate bed spaces had already been secured for all registered Adamawa pilgrims currently in Saudi Arabia.
According to the insider, the state currently has accommodation capacity for all 1,528 pilgrims in the Kingdom, with an additional 28 vacant bed spaces still available.
The source further revealed that about 23 officials presently occupying some of the hotel spaces are expected to relocate, thereby creating more room for pilgrims if necessary.
The insider also expressed concern over what was described as the premature circulation of reports suggesting that pilgrims had been abandoned without accommodation, noting that the situation was still being addressed when the reports surfaced.
Hajj Gazette reports that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) had announced for 2026 hajj season, Saudi authorities would not issue Hajj visas unless accommodation arrangements have been fully secured and documented.
Stating that all accommodation facilities for the Nigeria pilgrims most be booked long before the issuance of visa and commencement of the 2026 Hajj airlift operations.
“No visa can be issued without confirmed accommodation. The hotels for the pilgrims were secured since last year and properly documented before approvals were granted,” the source stated.
The official further explained that it is common for many pilgrims arriving in Makkah to head directly to the Haram to perform Umrah immediately after dropping their luggage, rather than waiting to be formally allocated their bed spaces.
A senior source at the commission noted that in some cases, when pilgrims return from the Haram and do not immediately find the officials assigned to guide them to their designated rooms, confusion and complaints can arise, especially during periods of heavy arrivals involving multiple flights.
According to the insider, the situation involving Adamawa pilgrims was worsened by the simultaneous arrival of over 1,100 pilgrims from two separate flights, combined with the temporary mix-up in hotel allocation and transportation logistics.
As at the time of filing this report, it was confirmed by Hajj Gazette’s reporter in Makkah that all Adamawa pilgrims affected by the temporary accommodation confusion had been allocated their respective bed spaces accordingly.
