•Nigerian pilgrims and EFCC operative
Two senior officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) are in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged fraud linked to the 2025 Hajj exercise.
Multiple sources within the EFCC, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the arrests, reports Nigerian Tribune.
According to reports, the detained officials are the Commissioner of Policy, Personnel, and Finance (PPMF), Aliu Abdulrazak, and the Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA), Aminu Muhammed.
The EFCC sources stated that the officials remain in custody for failing to return funds they allegedly misappropriated, though the exact amount has not been publicly disclosed.
The arrests come amid mounting allegations of mismanagement and financial infractions in the recent Hajj operations, which were described as “a total failure” by the Forum of Chief Executives of State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards.
The forum had raised 16 issues in a review meeting with NAHCON, with seven directly linked to financial irregularities now being probed by the EFCC.
In a statement signed by its Assistant Director of Information and Publication, Fatima Usara, NAHCON addressed the issue without directly confirming the detentions.
The commission emphasised its commitment to accountability and due process, stating that it maintains an “open and ongoing relationship” with anti-corruption and regulatory bodies.
“The commission would not shield any staff or process found wanting,” the statement read. Usara also appealed to the public and the media to “exercise restraint on speculations” and allow due process to run its course.
This is not the first time NAHCON has faced scrutiny from anti-graft agencies. The EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had previously investigated the former NAHCON Chairman, Jalal Arabi, over the alleged diversion of a ₦90 billion government subsidy for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage. Arabi was eventually sacked by President Bola Tinubu in October 2024.
