Two senior officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) have been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Those arrested are the Commissioner of Policy, Personnel and Finance (PPMF), Aliu Abdulrazak, and the Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA), Aminu Y. Muhammed.
Daily Trust reported that the two men honoured an EFCC invitation but were detained after failing to return funds allegedly diverted.
Their arrest followed growing concerns about the handling of resources during the 2025 Hajj operations. Several pilgrims complained of poor logistics despite huge sums released for the exercise.
According to insiders, Abdulrazak and Muhammed are also under investigation for an older case linked to the tenure of former NAHCON chairman, Ahmad Jalal Arabi.
The EFCC had earlier in August quizzed other top officials, including Abdulmalik Diggi, Deputy Director (Accounts), and Barrister Nura Danladi, the commission’s Legal Adviser.
Mounting Criticism of NAHCON Leadership
The Forum of Chief Executives of State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Agencies recently condemned the commission’s performance. It described the 2025 Hajj operations as “a total failure.”
Many pilgrims reported poor accommodation, delayed feeding, and transport shortages in Saudi Arabia. These complaints have renewed questions about transparency in NAHCON’s spending.
The commission is responsible for managing one of the largest annual pilgrimages in the world. In 2025, more than 95,000 Nigerian pilgrims travelled for Hajj, according to NAHCON figures.
With such scale, analysts argue, accountability must remain strict to prevent misuse of funds meant for welfare.
The EFCC continues to widen its investigation. Sources said the anti-graft agency is tracing transactions linked to Hajj payments made through commercial banks.
The commission has yet to issue a formal statement, but officials hinted that the probe could extend beyond NAHCON to contractors engaged for the pilgrimage.
Nigerians will be watching closely, as billions of naira pass through NAHCON every year in the name of serving pilgrims.
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