The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency (KSPWA) has issued a strong denial regarding allegations that it housed male and female pilgrims in the same hotel during the 2025 Hajj in Makkah, describing the claims as a "deliberate attempt to mislead the public" and damage its reputation.

In a statement released on Sunday, the agency responded to reports published by Hajj reporters, expressing surprise that the journalists did not contact the KSPWA Public Relations Officer for clarification before publishing the story.

"The KSPWA has a functional media team for the 2025 Hajj, and we are surprised that the reporters did not reach the KSPWA Public Relations Officer for clarifications," the statement read.

The agency emphasized its longstanding tradition of ensuring gender-separate accommodations for pilgrims, noting that "Kaduna State was the first State in Nigeria to establish and maintain separate lodging for male and female pilgrims in Makkah because of our adherence to religious and moral values."

While acknowledging that there had been initial concerns raised by some female pilgrims and their relatives regarding the religious standards of the accommodations, the KSPWA clarified that these issues stemmed from "misunderstanding" rather than actual policy or practice.

The agency explained that it follows the practice of placing pilgrims in different hotels and on different floors based on gender to ensure accommodation flexibility while maintaining appropriate separation.

This clarification comes as part of the ongoing 2025 Hajj operations, during which the agency has reportedly airlifted 3,700 intending pilgrims from Kaduna State to Saudi Arabia for the annual pilgrimage.