* Attributes mix-up to coordination gap during allocation
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has reacted to a viral video showing some Adamawa State pilgrims outside a hotel in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, amid allegations that they were left without accommodation during the ongoing 2026 Hajj operation.
The video, which circulated widely on social media and was first reported by Sahara Reporters, showed visibly distressed pilgrims, including elderly women, sitting and lying beside their luggage while expressing frustration over their accommodation situation.
The affected pilgrims were identified in the footage as coming from Yola North, Song, and Madagali local government areas of Adamawa State.
Some of the pilgrims seen in the viral footage alleged that they had spent several hours waiting for accommodation allocation after arriving in Makkah.
Watch the first video below
WATCH: ‘We Slept Outside With Mosquitoes’, Adamawa Pilgrims Stranded In Saudi Arabia Despite Paying Over N8.3Million Each For Hajj pic.twitter.com/8PQwaU6uog
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) May 14, 2026
“We all spent the night outside. There are no rooms, nobody is explaining anything to us, and even food has not been provided,” one of the pilgrims said in the video.
A female pilgrim also claimed that after completing Umrah, they returned without having a place to rest.
“We performed Umrah, but now there is nowhere for us to rest,” she said.
The man who recorded and shared the video online, identified as Bello Babajo, said he posted it to draw the attention of authorities responsible for the welfare of Adamawa pilgrims.
According to him, the pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia only to discover that there was allegedly no adequate accommodation arrangement for them.
“We cannot accept this kind of treatment. Authorities must urgently intervene to protect the dignity and welfare of these pilgrims,” he said.
The incident generated concerns online over the welfare and accommodation arrangements for Nigerian pilgrims currently participating in the 2026 Hajj exercise.
NAHCON denies abandonment claims
However, NAHCON, in a statement signed by its management, dismissed claims that the pilgrims were abandoned without accommodation for two days.
The commission said it immediately dispatched an investigative team to the location captured in the viral video after the reports surfaced online.
According to NAHCON, findings revealed that the pilgrims arrived in Makkah late on May 13, while room allocation was still ongoing at the time the video was recorded. Watch NAHCON video HERE
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON ACCOMMODATION VIDEO
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has noted a misleading video circulating online alleging that some pilgrims from Adamawa State were left without accommodation for 2 days in Makkah. pic.twitter.com/0Iz8MPanLN
— National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (@nigeriahajjcom) May 15, 2026
The commission explained that while some pilgrims waited for accommodation allocation, others proceeded to the Haram to perform Umrah, leading to communication gaps during the process.
“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,” the statement said.
NAHCON added that upon the pilgrims’ return from the Haram, officials attended to them and completed the accommodation process.
“The circulating video was recorded while the allocation process was ongoing, creating a false impression. NAHCON confirms that all affected pilgrims have since been properly accommodated,” the commission stated.
The circulating video was recorded while the allocation process was ongoing, creating a false impression. NAHCON confirms that all affected pilgrims have since been properly accommodated.
The video above also contains testimonials from Adamawa pilgrims regarding their
— National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (@nigeriahajjcom) May 15, 2026
The commission also called on pilgrims and officials to verify information and report concerns through appropriate channels before circulating unverified narratives on social media.
“NAHCON and State Pilgrims Welfare Boards remain committed to ensuring the welfare of all Nigerian pilgrims,” the statement added.
The development comes as thousands of Nigerian pilgrims continue arriving in Saudi Arabia ahead of the 2026 Hajj.
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