The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, led by Senator Ali Ndume, on Sunday, June 9, 2025, visited the site of a recent fire outbreak at Imaratus Sanan Hotel on Shari Mansur Street in Makkah. The hotel, which housed Nigerian pilgrims under private tour operators, was engulfed in flames on June 7, leaving several rooms destroyed and others partially affected.

The delegation, which included Senators Sahabi Ya’u, Sharafadeen Ali, and Abdulhamid Ahmad, was received at the scene by the Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, and the Commissioner for Planning, Research, Statistics, Information, and Library Services (PRSILS), Professor Abubakar Yagawal.

During the tour of the site, Professor Usman briefed the Senate team on the immediate measures taken by NAHCON to relocate the affected pilgrims. He noted that no lives were lost and assured that the Commission remains committed to the safety and welfare of all Nigerian pilgrims.

Senator Ndume, speaking to journalists, expressed relief that no fatalities occurred and praised the proactive steps taken by NAHCON to manage the aftermath of the incident. “We are here to see for ourselves the unfortunate incident that has occurred and be briefed on the steps taken to address the situation,” he said. “We appreciate NAHCON’s leadership and rapid response.”

The delegation later visited the pilgrims’ new accommodation to commiserate with them and assess their condition. Some pilgrims expressed concern about lost travel documents. Responding to this, Senator Sahabi directed NAHCON to compile a detailed report to aid in obtaining police documentation and the reissuance of essential papers upon return to Nigeria.

Earlier in the day, executives from affected tour operating companies paid a courtesy visit to NAHCON leadership to express appreciation for the Commission’s swift intervention. Companies represented included Arafat Air Services, Moslima Tours, Az Hab Travels, Danbare Travel and Tours, Amami, and Murna Companies.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Chairman of Arafat Travels, AbdulAzeez Shabitu, revealed that six rooms were completely razed, with another 120 rooms partially affected. He thanked God for preserving lives and commended NAHCON for its timely response.

In his response, Professor Usman humbly noted that the Commission was merely fulfilling its mandate. “There is no need to thank us,” he said. “We are only carrying out a statutory obligation to ensure effective and efficient services for Nigerian pilgrims.”

Other officials present during the visit included the Deputy Makkah Coordinator, Alhaji Alidu Shutti.

The incident, though unfortunate, has drawn commendation for NAHCON’s emergency preparedness and support mechanisms, offering a model for responsive pilgrimage administration under challenging circumstances.