The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained two senior officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) over allegations of massive financial misconduct involving billions of naira meant for Hajj operations.

Aliu Abdulrazak, Commissioner of Policy, Personnel, and Finance (PPMF), and Aminu Y. Muhammed, Director of Finance and Accounts, were taken into custody on Monday after responding to an EFCC invitation. Sources confirmed that both officials remained in detention late into the night.

The arrests are part of an expanding investigation into alleged corruption and mismanagement that has plagued the 2025 Hajj exercise, which stakeholders have described as a "total failure" under the leadership of NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, commonly known as Pakistan.

Allegations of Massive Fund Diversion

According to investigative sources, the anti-graft agency is probing the alleged diversion and mismanagement of over ₦50 billion in Hajj funds. The questionable expenditures reportedly include:

  • ₦25 billion allegedly squandered on Masha'ir tents

  • ₦1.6 billion on expenses for spouses

  • ₦7.9 billion on contingency houses in Makkah

The EFCC investigation is not limited to the current administration's activities. Investigators are also looking into cases of fund diversion dating back to the tenure of former NAHCON chairman Ahmad Jalal Arabi.

In recent weeks, several other senior NAHCON officials have been interrogated as part of the widening probe into the commission's financial activities.

Stakeholders Call for Leadership Overhaul

Following these developments, stakeholders in the Hajj sector are calling for immediate action, including the suspension of the detained officials and a complete disbandment of the current NAHCON leadership.

They have urged President Bola Tinubu to appoint a sole administrator with substantial operational experience to restore credibility and proper management to the Hajj Commission.

The 2025 Hajj exercise has been marred by numerous complaints from Nigerian pilgrims about poor services, inadequate accommodations, and organizational failures, despite the significant funds allocated for the pilgrimage.

As of press time, NAHCON had not issued an official statement regarding the detention of its senior officials or the allegations of financial impropriety.

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