Independent Hajj Reporters has decried the poor treatment of private tour operators pilgrims during this year’s Hajj.
The civil society organization also raised concerns about the inadequate medical support provided to Nigerian pilgrims in Madinah and the delayed establishment of the clinic in Makkah.
It urged the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to urgently review and improve its medical services policy to avoid a repeat if this ugly incident in future Hajj operations.
The CSO revealed this in a statement signed by its national coordinator Ibrahim Muhammad and released in Makkah on Monday.
IHR also called for transparency regarding the failure to process visas for over 2,500 intending pilgrims within the timeline approved by the Saudi authorities.
According to IHR, many of these pilgrims were accommodated in isolated areas in Mina without basic amenities.
“At the time of our visit, we observed that several tents lacked mattresses, and pilgrims were forced to sleep on mats or makeshift beddings,” the CSO said.
“We call for an independent investigation into the matter and appropriate action against any individual or group responsible for the substandard services rendered to private pilgrims,” the statement said.
However, the CSO also commended NAHCON, state pilgrims’ welfare boards, Saudi-based service providers, and other stakeholders for the noticeable improvement in service delivery during the 2025 Hajj.
It noted that the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims, feeding arrangements, transportation within the Kingdom, and the allocation of tent spaces in Mina and Arafat showed significant improvement.