Screen pilgrims before 2027 Hajj to avoid ISWAP inclusion – Group charges NAHCON

A faith-based civil society organization, CSO, the Independent Hajj Reporters, IHR, has charged the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON and state pilgrims boards to make pre-registration security screening mandatory for all intending pilgrims ahead of the 2027 Hajj.

The group, which monitors Hajj and Umrah operations, said the call follows the recent arrest of suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders on arrival from Hajj, which it described as a warning sign for Nigeria’s pilgrimage system.

In a statement on Monday signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad, IHR said: “Pre-registration screening should be made compulsory for all intending pilgrims participating in the 2027 Hajj exercise.”

The group proposed that NAHCON and State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards set up dedicated security screening committees to vet intending pilgrims who have paid the initial deposit, before final registration is completed.

“NAHCON and the State Boards should create security screening committees that will visit states every two weeks to obtain the profiles of intending pilgrims and properly vet them to prevent a repeat of what recently happened in Katsina State,” the statement read.

IHR also recommended a centralized, automated pilgrim registration database with NAHCON permit-enabled synchronization, saying the system should flag security risk indicators to help Hajj authorities “sieve out individuals or groups with dubious mindsets.”

The organisation recalled that some wanted criminal suspects were arrested at Hajj embarkation points during the 2025 pilgrimage.

“These incidents justify the need for thorough security screening of all intending pilgrims before the issuance of a visa every Hajj season,” it stated.

IHR acknowledged the compressed registration timeline for 2027 released by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, but said security cannot be sacrificed for speed.

“We acknowledge the accelerated registration schedule for the 2027 Hajj and the need to fast-track the process. However, security must remain paramount in any exercise involving cross-border travel and the movement of large numbers of people,” the group said.

“We hope that the NAHCON’s current leadership, which has so far demonstrated the capacity to effectively manage challenges, will give this proposal positive consideration to ensure that wanted criminals cannot exploit Hajj or Umrah operations as a means of travelling abroad,” the statement concluded.