The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Aliu Abdulrazak, who serves as Commissioner for Policy, Personnel and Finance at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), over allegations of diverting public funds.

He was detained together with Aminu Y. Muhammed, the Director of Finance and Accounts at NAHCON, following reports of financial irregularities.

Both men had initially honoured an EFCC invitation but were held after failing to refund money suspected to have been mismanaged.

Their detention comes at a time when the handling of funds during the 2025 Hajj has been widely questioned.

Recently, the Forum of Chief Executives of State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards criticized the Hajj operations led by NAHCON chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, popularly known as Professor Pakistan, describing the exercise as a total failure.

Earlier in August, EFCC had also questioned several senior NAHCON officials, including Abdulmalik Diggi, Deputy Director of Accounts and adviser to the Chairman, over similar allegations.

Others grilled by the commission include Sirajo Usman Salisu from the Chairman’s Office and Barrister Nura Danladi, the Commission’s Legal Adviser.

Sources revealed that Abdulrazak and Muhammed are also under probe for another suspected diversion of funds linked to the administration of former NAHCON chairman, Ahmad Jalal Arabi.