The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has declined Nigeria’s request for an upward review of its 2027 Hajj allocation, leaving the country’s quota unchanged despite growing demand from intending pilgrims nationwide.

The Commission disclosed that it had formally engaged the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, seeking additional pilgrimage slots to accommodate the increasing number of Nigerian Muslims desirous of undertaking the sacred journey and to address appeals from several state pilgrims’ welfare boards for enhanced allocations.

However, Saudi authorities communicated their inability to grant additional slots, citing capacity limitations, structural constraints within the holy sites, and the Kingdom’s policy of strict adherence to approved country quotas under the current operational framework.

Consequently, Nigeria’s allocation for the 2027 Hajj exercise remains fixed at 35,000 slots for government pilgrims and 15,000 slots for licensed tour operators, bringing the country’s total approved allocation to 50,000 pilgrims.

Commenting on the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, said the Commission fully understands the disappointment the decision may cause many aspiring pilgrims and state pilgrim boards that had hoped for additional allocations.

According to him, the Commission explored all available diplomatic and operational channels in pursuit of an increased quota but respects the final decision of the Saudi authorities.

“We appreciate the deep spiritual desire of many Nigerian Muslims to perform Hajj and understand the expectations of states and stakeholders seeking additional slots. While every effort was made to secure an upward review, the Saudi authorities have communicated their final position based on operational realities and capacity considerations,” Ambassador Yusuf stated.

The NAHCON Chairman urged state pilgrims’ welfare boards, agencies and licensed tour operators to make judicious and transparent use of their approved allocations while ensuring strict compliance with all timelines established by the Commission and the Saudi Nusuk platform.

He emphasized that the deadline for uploading the data of all prospective pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj exercise remains September 26, 2026, warning that no extensions would be granted under any circumstance.

“Kindly note that the deadline for uploading prospective pilgrims’ data remains September 26, 2026. We urge all partners, state pilgrim boards, tour operators and representatives to ensure that all required information is submitted before this date, as no extensions will be granted,” he said.

Ambassador Yusuf further advised intending pilgrims who may be unable to secure a slot under the approved 2027 allocation not to lose hope, revealing that preparations for the subsequent pilgrimage season have already commenced.

“Individuals who were unable to secure a slot for the upcoming Hajj are encouraged to register for the 2028 Hajj. The Commission has officially opened the registration portal for this period, and applications are now being accepted,” he added.

Scores of people, including women and children, are feared dead following the collapse of a mining pit at Mayo-Kam community in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday while illegal miners were working at the site, throwing the community into mourning.

A resident of Mayo-Kam, Kenneth Ayila, who confirmed the incident, said more than 20 people were feared trapped or killed when the mining pit suddenly collapsed.

“A mining pit has collapsed on miners at Mayo Kam village in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State this afternoon. Over 20 people are feared dead,” Ayila said.

A community leader, Mallam Usman Bello, also confirmed the incident, saying most of the victims were indigenes of Mayo-Kam.

Bello said only a few miners usually come from neighbouring communities to work at the site, adding that the tragedy had plunged residents into shock and grief.

“We are in total shock over the incident,” he said.

However, the Taraba State Police Command said the exact number of casualties was yet to be established.

The command’s spokesperson, Victor Msherizar, said five bodies had so far been recovered from the collapsed pit, while rescue efforts were ongoing to locate and evacuate other people who may still be trapped.

He said the police could not immediately confirm the total number of victims and would provide further details as information became available.

The incident has renewed concerns over unregulated mining activities in parts of Taraba State, particularly amid reports of an existing ban on illegal mining operations.

The Niger State Police Command has commenced investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners who reportedly died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.

The Commissioner of Police, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, ordered the investigation following the incident which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, September 17, 2026.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, persons arrested over alleged illegal mining were found dead while in detention at the NSCDC Niger State Command.

The Commissioner directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Minna, to take charge of the investigation and establish the circumstances surrounding the death.
The command urged family members, relatives and members of the public with credible information that could assist the investigation to come forward and provide such information to the SCID, Minna.

Elleman also appealed for calm and urged residents, relatives and acquaintances of the deceased to remain law-abiding and cooperate with the investigation.

He assured the public that the command would thoroughly investigate the incident to determine the cause of the deaths.

The Commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to upholding human rights and ensuring accountability in the discharge of statutory responsibilities by law enforcement agencies.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has ordered the immediate suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, following reports of the deaths of suspected illegal miners in Minna, the Niger State capital.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the suspension on Friday, September 18, 2026, and directed that a full investigation be conducted to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

According to a statement issued by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde, the reported deaths occurred in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna in the early hours of Thursday.

The Federal Government said the circumstances surrounding the deaths would be investigated, with the Niger State NSCDC Commandant remaining suspended pending the outcome of the process.

“It is an unfortunate incident; however, a full investigation will be conducted while the commandant under whose watch this happened remains suspended,” the minister said.

Tunji-Ojo reaffirmed the Federal Government’s position that the protection of lives remains a priority, stressing that the investigation would be allowed to proceed.

“We run a government whose ultimate priority is security of lives and we have worked to stay true to this,” he added.

The minister appealed to members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding while the investigation is conducted, noting the importance of allowing the process to take place transparently.

He also expressed condolences to the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, as well as the families and relatives of those who reportedly died in the incident.