The inability of Kano pilgrims performing the 2026 Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to enjoy direct bus shuttling between their accommodation and the Grand Mosque in Makkah is as a result of a new transportation and crowd-control policy introduced by Saudi Authorities ahead of the commencement of the core Hajj rituals.
Under the new arrangement, large buses conveying pilgrims are no longer permitted to shuttle close to pilgrims’ accommodation areas or operate near the Grand Mosque beginning seven days before the commencement of Hajj rites. The policy was introduced as part of broader measures aimed at reducing congestion and improving crowd management around the Haram during the peak Hajj period.
The Director General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Dr. Abubakar Ibrahim Matawalle made the disclosure in a chat with journalists at Makkah Sunday.
This was contained in a press release issued by Mustapha Muhammad, the Head of the Media Team, Kano Hajj Operation 2026.
The development affects pilgrims from different countries participating in this year’s Hajj exercise and is not peculiar to Kano pilgrims alone.
However, the situation became more noticeable among Kano pilgrims because they were among the last batch of Nigerian pilgrims airlifted to Saudi Arabia, arriving in Makkah barely five days before the commencement of the Hajj rituals.
This limited the opportunity for many of them to enjoy regular shuttle services to the great mosque (Haram) before the restriction came into effect.
Despite the development, the Director General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Matawalle, said the board had already made adequate arrangements to ensure the comfort and convenience of pilgrims throughout their stay in Saudi Arabia.
Adding that all accommodation secured for Kano pilgrims in Makkah was carefully selected within walkable distance to the Grand Mosque in anticipation of the transportation restrictions imposed during the Hajj season.
“We are fully aware of the new operational policy introduced by the Saudi authorities,” Matawalle explained. “The board made proper arrangements ahead of time to ease movement for our pilgrims. All the houses secured for Kano pilgrims are within treckcable and manageable walking distance to the Haram.”
He further disclosed that immediately after pilgrims return to Makkah from Arafat, Mina, and Muzdalifah, the restriction on vehicular shuttling between pilgrims’ houses and the Grand Mosque would be lifted and transportation services would resume.
The Director General urged pilgrims and their relatives back home to avoid spreading false or misleading information capable of creating unnecessary panic or confusion regarding the welfare of Kano pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
He emphasized that the transportation policy was a general directive from Saudi authorities and not a failure on the part of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board.
Matawalle also appealed to pilgrims to cooperate with officials and exercise patience during the spiritually significant period, noting that crowd-control measures are necessary to guarantee the safety of millions of pilgrims gathered in the holy land.
The Saudi authorities annually introduce strict movement and transportation regulations during the peak Hajj period as part of efforts to maintain order, prevent stampedes, and ensure smooth coordination of pilgrims around the holy sites.
As preparations intensify for the commencement of the Hajj rites, pilgrims have continued to adapt to the operational realities on ground while hoping for improved mobility after their return from the major rituals.